Grootint GRP Systems, a subsidiary of Heerema Fabrication Group (HFG), has set a new world record with the successful completion of the 15 bar hydrostatic test of the Glass-fibre Reinforced Vinylester (GRVE) piping system of the new Shell Ethylene Cracker Complex (ECC) in Singapore.
After successful qualification tests, whereby the piping system was pressurized at 24 bar for 1000 hours, Grootint GRP Systems was awarded the contract by Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte.) Ltd., Singapore for the design, production, supply and installation of the main cooling water system of the Shell ECC plant on Pulau Ular in Singapore.
The contract comprises delivery of a closed cooling water system of 3.1 kilometer glass-fibre reinforced vinylester piping system of which the majority will be positioned approx. 5 meter in the ground. The piping system will have an enormous diameter, which varies from 2.60 to 2.70 meter. Due to the nature of the plant, Shell demanded a very high design pressure of 10 Bar. In combination with the hugh diameter of the piping, Grootint GRP has achieved a major milestone in the capabilities of Glass-fibre Reinforced Piping (GRP) systems.
Currently more than 60% of the installation is completed and it is expected that it will be completed at the beginning of 2009.
“We recently successfully completed two of a total of four hydrostatic tests. In these tests, the system was pressurised to 15 bar for six hours. This pressure is 50% higher than the design pressure of 10 bar. A major achievement of which I’m very proud”, says Managing Director Alcuin de Weert of Grootint GRP Systems. “Recently we also received an award from Shell for the best performing contractor (out of 51) of the month, without a single LTI. Even more reason to be proud on our site team in Singapore”, continues De Weert.
Company profile Grootint GRP Systems
Grootint GRP Systems is specialized in the design, supply, fabrication and installation of Glass-fibre Reinforced Piping (GRP) systems and is part of the Heerema Fabrication Group (HFG) in Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands. HFG offers innovative, cost effective and high quality engineering and construction solutions for structures to the global oil & gas and energy industry through efficient EPCI management capabilities with the highest regard to safety and environmental issues. HFG owns three fabrication yards of which two are situated in the Netherlands (Vlissingen and Zwijndrecht) and one in the United Kingdom (Hartlepool). Furthermore, HFG owns a multi-disciplined consulting engineering company with offices in the U.S.A. (New Orleans and Houston), Angola (Luanda) and in the Netherlands (Zwijndrecht). This engineering firm, HFG Engineering, is specialized in onshore and offshore facility designs with an emphasis on ease of operations and constructability. Heerema Fabrication Group employs over 1,100 people. HFG is part of the Heerema Group.