Supporting a Major EPC contractor

A major EPC contractor – a well-known leader in engineering and construction – was awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract by Valero Energy Ltd, for the combined heat and power cogeneration project at its Pembroke Refinery in Wales. We were delighted to support this project, by shipping, lifting, and moving prefabricated sections for a substation at the refinery.

Our client’s scope included the design, procurement, construction, and commissioning support for the new 45 MVA natural gas-fired combustion turbine generator system. This will supply power and steam to enhance the refinery’s energy efficiency and operations. The scope also included substations, transformers, electrical and piping tie-ins, and a fuel gas pipeline system.

This was the first project to receive planning permission as a Development of National Significance process under the Planning (Wales) Act 2015. To deliver it, we created a load spreading solution for the route – individually, each unit weighed 26Te and 61Te. Having offloaded the units at Pembroke Port, we moved them via ramps and link spans, onto our barge for RoRo shipment to the site jetty.

As always, we have the equipment to install grillage and sea-fastenings in transit. Towing the units out to the site, we then undertook the RoRo load in and set to lifting and moving the units into place, ready for installation.

For this part of the work, enabling some complex tandem top and tail lifts, we used our LTM1800D crane. By using our enhanced QHSE measures, we managed to keep working on-site through the recent health and safety concerns.

Scope of works: 

• Heavy lift and heavy haulage equipment
• Engineering deliverables and engineering support
• Provision and installation of load spreading bridge sections along the route
• Provision and installation of RoRo ramps and link spans at RoRo locations
• Offload of the oceangoing vessel at Pembroke Port
• RoRo load out onto barge for shipment to the site jetty
• Provision and installation of grillage and sea fastenings
• Barge tow to the site jetty
• Removal of grillage and sea-fastening at the site jetty
• RoRo load in at the site jetty
• Movement via SPMTs
• Heavy equipment installation with LTM1800D crane
• Auxiliary and support equipment to facilitate

“Working alongside the major EPC contractor transporting and lifting all of the heavy-lift components for the project with our best-in-class equipment has been very rewarding. Despite the challenges faced at the start of the covid outbreak, the project team remained flexible, adapting to the situation quickly to deliver the remaining heavy lift equipment to foundation ahead of schedule. We are looking forward to the next time we have the opportunity to work alongside both the major EPC contractor and Valero teams again.”

Dan Massey – Senior Project Manager, Osprey