Feature, Freight News, Sea

deugro Delivers Well Fluid Slug Catcher

[ August 21, 2024   //   Gary G Burrows ]

deugro Oman has delivered a 254-tonne well fluid slug catcher from Nizwa, Oman via the Port of Duqm, Oman, to Mina Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
deugro was awarded the contract for this project based on the technical concept, including a sophisticated transport engineering solution and timely ocean freight options despite extremely tight timelines. To ensure the safe and on-time movement of the oversized and heavy-lift slug catcher, deugro arranged for a route survey; detailed transport, stability, lashing and lifting plans; and regular technical meetings with the client and dteq Transport Engineering Solutions, or dteq.
The cargo pick-up location was in Nizwa in southeastern Oman. While the closest port would have been the Port of Sohar, the route survey identified the Port of Duqm as the ideal port of departure.
“The biggest challenge was the pre-carriage from the cargo pick-up location in the Nizwa Industrial Estate to the Port of Duqm, Oman,” said Deepak Fernandes, transport engineer, dteq Transport Engineering Solutions, UAE. “Due to the cargo’s dimensions and weight, the identification of the best-suited route and any potential obstacles such as low bridges, narrow roads, road crossings and overhead signboards was vital to ensure safe and on-time delivery.”
dteq received and secured a multi-axle hydraulic trailer, and a site survey was conducted in cooperation with dteq beforehand to discuss the procedures with the heavy hauler and the client. The slug catcher measured 28.2 x 6.5 x 7 meters.
Once the trailer, prime mover and securing were inspected, the trailer started its 700-kilometer journey to the Port of Duqm. The road route required minor modifications such as the leveling, filling and compacting of loose soil and potholes, the removal of poles and sign boards, the installation of scaffolding and plywood to cross an interlock area, as well as major modifications such as removing road guard rails.
“High wind speeds and sandstorms between Nizwa, Ghaba, Qarn Alam, Haima and Duqm along the route meant great caution was essential to ensure the safety of the workers and the cargo. Therefore, during the journey, we provided daily status updates for all parties involved,” said Shaheen Sherif, operations manager, deugro Muscat.
After five days, the slug catcher safely arrived at the Port of Duqm, where it was punctually loaded with centimeter-precision by the heavy lift vessel’s own cranes and under the personal supervision of the local deugro team. Once the slug catcher was stowed and securely lashed in accordance with the method statements prepared by dteq, the vessel set sail to Mina Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi, where it was unloaded directly onto SPMTs under the personal supervision of deugro UAE—ready for on-carriage to its destination.

Tags: deugro Oman