Ahead of its target to start operations in 2019, Dangote Oil Refining Company Limited is set to commence installation of crude oil refining equipment for its petrochemical refinery.

The Head, Quality Assurance/Quality Compliance and Construction, DORC, Mr Rama Putta, said that the 650,000-barrels per day refinery would come on stream by September 2019.

According to him, about 3,000 pieces of equipment are required for the refinery.

“Out of that, more than 200 have already come in. They come in semi – finished shape and we will finish them off. The remaining are being manufactured in various countries, including China, India, America, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.

“The challenge is bringing heavy equipment. There are 300 very heavy equipment and we have given contracts to the biggest shippers in the world to bring them from different countries,” he noted.

According to him, the basic engineering work has reached 98 percent completion; the detailed engineering, 90 percent; 3D modelling, 80 percent; long lead items ordering, 100 percent; bulk plates ordering, 90 percent; equipment and bulk items, 50 percent; and construction activities, 25 percent.

He said the sand filling of the site was completed six months ago, adding that 60 percent of the land was swampy. Putta said bringing the land to three metres above the mean sea level was the biggest challenge.

“The sand is tightly compacted and ready for the erection of the equipment. No flood can affect our area. The surrounding area is only one metre above the mean sea level. The entire Lagos is only 1.5 metres above the main sea level.

“We dredged sand from the Atlantic Ocean, about 60 million cubic metres. The world’s biggest dredgers dredged the sand for about 18 months. It’s a big job and is completed successfully. Now, what is left is to erect the equipment.”

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