[Johannesburg, 27 June 2017]: Nampak Glass has commissioned a 1km-long high pressure underground pipeline, which feeds from the existing Sasol Gas Ltd.’s transmission network and ties into the newly constructed Nampak Pressure Reduction Station (PRS) in Germiston.
Implemented for strategic business decisions, the high pressure underground pipeline construction includes a pressure reducing and metering station with two parallel lines; one in service and the other on standby. Each of the lines boasts a filter separator to clean the gas, an electric heater to heat the gas prior to the Joule Thompson effect when the pressure is reduced, a flow meter to measure gas flow, a regulator and slam-shut valves for pressure reduction and control, and to protect the downstream equipment. The project encompasses all necessary civil, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation work.
According to Morkel du Preez, Saiyl Project Engineer, “This high pressure pipeline and metering station is one of the few in South Africa that is not owned by Sasol. Energas Technologies was commissioned to supply the electric heaters, filter separators, flow meters, insulation joints, isolation valves, control and slam-shut valves as well as relief valves.”
The construction of the high pressure underground pipeline was overseen by project management team, Saiyl, and commenced in April 2016 with basic engineering. Implemented from December 2016 and concluded, within deadline and budget in May 2017, commissioning activities on the project have already commenced.
Construction of the pipeline took place during the rainy season and over April, which was a much shortened month, due to the numerous public holidays that fell over this period. “Tight schedule controls and project acceleration methods were instituted to ensure that the project was completed by its original commissioning date,” du Preez explains.
“Energas Technologies has been a leading supplier of specialised equipment to the natural gas industry since 2001 and has extensive experience in providing excellent support and after-sales service to its clients. Our technical expertise and wide range of products played a pivotal role in the awarding of the contract,” remarks Botha. “The success of our role in this project is underpinned by the quality of the equipment, service and commissioning support we provide. These are attributes that make Energas Technologies the go-to equipment supplier for new and existing gas metering stations across the country and further afield,” she concludes.
The high pressure underground pipeline and metering station was constructed by a workforce of around 50 people and represents new opportunities for gas operation experts at the Nampak Pressure Reduction Station facility.