Monday, 08. October 2012.
The First Month of HDPE Plant Reconstruction
Since the beginning of installation works, September 17th, as far as large equipment is concerned, both blowing columns have been installed, V-210 A/B, INRU, internal filter at the catalyst activation section, and new vessels for charging catalyst into reactor V-203 E/F. The vendors of the INRU and internal filter at the catalyst activation section visited HIP-Petrohemija in the week from September 17 th to September 21st, thoroughly checked the equipment and confirmed that it was in excellent state and that it was ready for installation and starting up. Meanwhile the installation of the INRU and internal filter were completed under the vendor’s supervision, and it is expected the vendors will come again at the time when all the requirements are satisfied for starting up these parts of the equipment.
“Installation of the remaining equipment is slightly delayed because of necessary corrections on the civil construction, however it is not critical. Also, the fabrication and installation of the pipelines are not in compliance with the planned dynamics“ – said Koprivsek. This delay is mostly caused by the presence of lower number of workers of the contractor “Gosa Montaza“ than it is necessary, because of their engagement in the works in the Oil Refinery of Pancevo. Koprivsek expects that the situation is going to be much better from Monday October 08th, when it is expected the contractor’s workers to come back from the Oil Refinery to HDPE Plant. “In the case that it does not happen, we will have a discusssion with responsible people from “Gosa Montaza“ in order to have the number of workers increased at the site so that we return to the planned terms“ – said Koprivsek. It is estimated that the delay on the pipeline fabrication and installation is approximately two weeks at the moment, when compared to the plan, and so far the cooling water pipeline has been completed (app. 60%) as well as several minor pipelines.
Due to delay in fabrication and installation of pipelines, there are also some delays in electrical and instrumental works, while the process works which comprise preparation of process manuals and training of HDPE Plant workers for operations with new configuration are going on as planned. Nevertheless Koprivsek thinks that there is no reason for worries in terms of deadline for HDPE Plant start-up which is planned to take place on December 20th or 21st.
According to the plans, in the first half of October the installation of all equipment parts should be completed as well as minimum of 50 to 60% of pipelines, what is planned to be carried out by groups, i.e. system by system, what will enable electrical and instrumental teams to start their works as soon as each of the systems is completed.
Koprivsek has underlined that he is very satisfied with efforts not only of HDPE Plant employees, but of other HIP-Petrohemija’s employees who are included in this project as well. He particularly thanked former HDPE 90kt Project Team Manager, Mr Dusan Nikolic, for excellent preparations for the project realization, for finishing dismantling in time, as well as for his continual engagement in the project realization. Nikolic resigned from the position of Project Team Manager for health reasons, and moved to supervision of the project realization quality in all aspects.