The call to bring power back to the Copper Ridge injection well in Vienna meant activating a full-scale, high-voltage operation for Girard-based electrical contractor CR Electric.
It’s an atypical job that demanded some engineering expertise, heavy duty equipment and thousands of feet of wire.
“The well site is about 4,000 feet back from the road,” said Jason Rubin, president, CR Electric. “It was a big project with a lot of digging. We’ve never done something quite like this before.”
The Copper Ridge well processes liquids from the oil and gas industry and injects them safely back into the ground. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, oil field brine is a saline by-product generated during oil and gas well operations.
High voltage, rough terrain
To get power restored, CR Electric placed two poles at the entrance, which were connected and energized by Ohio Edison’s pole. Then, the team designed and installed a setup with a 23,000-volt line that runs underground to the site.
Among all of the job logistics, Rubin pointed to the terrain as the biggest challenge.
“There was so much rock to dig through. We replaced drainage culverts, crossed over bridges and managed constant water issues. Despite it all, we made it happen.”
Electricians coordinated with excavation crews, and multiple semi loads of sand were brought in to protect the buried wire.
“It was a labor-intensive job. During the main wire pull, we had at least 10 guys on it,” Rubin said.
Strong system setup
The wires connect to a transformer installed at the well site, along with two main panels.
Included in the setup is a series of distribution panels and a solar backup system in case there’s a power outage.
“Each panel controls different motors, and everything is designed to keep the operation running smoothly and safely,” Rubin said.
The system is internet connected for remote monitoring and diagnostics. For environmental safety, ground monitoring equipment was also installed along the path to detect any leakage or failures.
A high-voltage future
Although the four-month project was new territory for CR Electric, Rubin’s experience with high voltage helped guide the team.
“This is a new section of work the company’s growing into. We’re training our team, especially the younger apprentices, on how to safely handle high-voltage terminations and stress cones. The journeymen are also side by side teaching them.”
Professionalism pays off. The owners of Copper Ridge were satisfied with the outcome and already gave the company more work.
“That’s always the goal – to do the job right and earn the customer’s trust.”
For Rubin, projects like this are a reminder of why he got into the trade.
“I want to go beyond just lights and plugs. This kind of job, where we could design and build something unique, is what really drives me.”
CR Electric is a member contractor of NECA-IBEW Electricians, an association consisting of IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown, IBEW Local 573 in Warren and signatory electrical contractors throughout the Mahoning Valley.