The Diesel Hydrotreater Project, a first of its kind in Qatar.
The Laffan Refinery venture has celebrated the successful start-up of its new Diesel Hydrotreater (DHT) Project, a first of its kind in Qatar.
The new facility was completed without a Lost Time Incident (LTI) and brought in ahead of schedule and under budget cementing the refinery’s reputation for world class execution of hydrocarbon projects, Qatargas said in a release.
The start-up was declared three weeks early on April 10 and this was followed by the catalyst activation on April 26.
Qatargas Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa al-Thani said; “I am extremely happy to welcome this new asset into the Qatargas family. The introduction of ultra-low sulphur diesel to our economy is a major step forward in terms of our commitment to responsible environmental management and is a critical component of Qatar’s 2030 vision.”
“In particular I would like to recognise the efforts of our people who have demonstrated exemplary teamwork in ortder to complete this project safely within the schedule and budget. Perhaps most pleasing of all is the safety record delivered by the team by completing the work without a Lost Time Incident in 6mn man-hours worked. These excellent standards for safety are achieved only with the commitment and professionalism of everyone involved in the work. I offer my congratulations to the Project Management Team, our Operations Development and Asset staff as well as our contractors and sub-contractors.”
“The achievement of the start-up in April marks the successful execution of a 32 month schedule,” Qatargas said.
Detailed engineering design for the project began in September 2011 with Samsung Engineering and Construction Ltd (SECL) as the main contractor. The permanent works construction phase commenced in July 2012.
As it enters its operational phase, the DHT unit will produce diesel with less than 10 parts per million of sulphur, which will exceed the “best in class” Euro 5 Specification. This will make a major contribution towards the State of Qatar’s drive for world class environmental standards. At first it will operate at 50% capacity receiving feedstock from Laffan Refinery 1 and then later at 100% capacity when Laffan Refinery 2 comes on stream. Then, the DHT unit will process 54,000 barrels per stream day of straight run light gas oil feedstock.
On January 8, the DHT Project started receiving permanent 20 kV Power from the Laffan Refinery electricity network. Energisation of the DHT electrical sub-station marked an important milestone in the DHT Project progress as it preceded another busy period of work packages within the LR1 shutdown.
Speaking about a second successfully delivered project, Salman Ashkanani, Chief Operating Officer (Refinery Ventures), said;
“Our team has worked very hard to deliver efficiencies and exploit synergies and opportunities within the scope of work. The success of the DHT Project builds on the reputation established previously by the same project team on the Receiving and Loading Facilities (RALF) Project which was also delivered within cost and schedule and also completed with an impeccable safety record. We use proven Qatargas methodologies such as IiPMS (Integrated Project Management Solutions) as well as established company procedures and processes. Execution plans are diligently prepared and then we try very hard to let the plans drive the work. Of course teamwork has played a huge part in the success of the project but I would also attribute the depth of experience within the team as a major factor in our success. We are all very proud of our safety achievement by completing 6mn LTI-free man-hours and 6,000 safety observation cards.”