Following the completion of several local projects showcasing engineering and labour-broking services provider Fabricon Pipe & Labour Hire’s welding pro- cesses expertise and its swift project execution methods, the company has been awarded several new contracts in the local petrochemicals industry.

“Fabricon was awarded the new multiproduct pipeline (NMPP) feeder line contingent project, of undisclosed value, by a local petroleum major in February. The new feeder line will increase the capacity of the refinery’s pumping system in line with the NMPP requirements,” Fabricon MD Selwin Swartz tells Engineering News.

The feeder line forms part of the NMMP for State-owned freight logistics group Transnet’s subsidiary, Transnet Pipelines. Fabricon started work on the project in March.

The project scope involves the fabrication and installation of large-bore piping, as well as the structural installation of pipe bridges and support. Swartz believes that the company was awarded the project because of its project execution method, which focuses on rapid response and delivery time, as well as the company’s ability to track, report and adapt to the challenges that multidisciplinary projects present.

He adds that the company will use dual welding processes, owing to large-bore piping being used on the project. However, as the plant will be operational while the project is being executed, the company will apply only the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process in certain areas, as GTAW emits no sparks and is a safer welding method in a hazardous installation environment.

Swartz expects the project to be completed by September.

Multiproduct Pipeline
The NMPP will transport petrol, diesel and jet fuel from the Port of Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal, to Gauteng. The full NMPP network, estimated at R23.4-billion, with a capacity of 1 000 m3/h, comprises a 162 km, 16-inch-diameter inland pipeline network.

It will comprise a 5550-km, 24-inch-diameter trunk line from Island View, in Durban, to Jameson Park, in Gauteng – incorporating links from Kendal to Waltloo, Alrode to Langlaagte, and Jameson Park to Alrode – as well as inland and coastal terminals and three pumpstations.

Creamer Media’s Research Channel reports that, while the trunk line, designed for multiproduct services, is being used only to transport diesel, it will also be used in a multiproduct service capacity once the coastal and inland terminals are operational.

Meanwhile, Swartz says, since Fabricon completed its scope of work for the R52-million coastline Island View Terminal 1 in January, it was awarded the project for the inland Terminal 2, valued at between R30-million and R50-million.

Work on the Island View terminal started in March 2013. Fabricon was responsible for the construction of about 14 km of piping within the terminal, including the piping fabrication and the installation for the terminal, adds Swartz, noting that the second terminal will have a similar project scope.

Fabricon started work on Terminal 2 in February and Swartz expects that the company will complete its work in September. He adds that the company is still on track and within budget for the project.

Vopak Project Scope Add
Following Fabricon’s completion of the R35-million Fuel 2 project, in Island View, Durban, for Dutch independent tank storage provider Vopak, in June 2014, it was awarded the Fuel 3 early works project in September 2014.

The Vopak project will involve rerouting about 6 km of stainless steel pipelines at the company’s fuel plants.

“As Vopak plans to construct a storage tank facility with larger volumes, the early works for Fuel 3 entails rerouting some of the existing services during construction of the new tanks, enabling Vopak to ensure continuous plant operation and services to its clients,” says Swartz.

The early works involved the fabrication of stainless steel and carbon steel pipes, the rerouting of about 4 km of piping within the process plant, fabrication of the structural steel that supports the rerouted pipelines, and the relocation of various process pumps from their existing locations to new locations to allow for the construction of the new tanks.

Sub-Saharan Africa Endeavours
To maintain or increase its target turnover, which quadrupled in 2014, and to capitalise on new African opportunities, Fabricon has set its sights on new ventures and contracts in sub-Saharan Africa in the mining, petroleum and sugar industries.

“As local projects and subsequent work decrease, Fabricon has become more aggressive in its cross-border proposals and has registered several businesses to trade consistently and to secure sustainable projects in the region,” says Swartz.

He notes that, since Fabricon started the sub-Saharan Africa expansion in 2014, it has achieved success in Zambia and Namibia, and is aiming to pursue business in Mozambique and Tanzania.