KPA Unicon's Boiler Plant En Route to Nigeria
28 May 2007 11:25
A DEMANDING BOILER PLANT PROJECT FROM KPA UNICON TO NIGERIA
KPA Unicon, located in Pieksämäki, Finland, are known for their boiler plants which have been delivered to customers in Finland as well as many foreign countries, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. One of their most special plants, however, was recently shipped to faraway Okoloma gas field in Nigeria.The plant's capacity is 3x2 MW. It is a basic hot water boiler plant but it also differs in many aspects from KPA Unicon's standard projects.
'The difference from our standard plant is that the boiler plant is completely manufactured according to American standards, for example the piping was a big issue for us. Normally we do everything according to European standards,' says Jarmo Koskenkorva, Project Manager.
The conditions in the gas field are demanding because of the climate. Therefore, all pipes have been coated with zinc paint to prevent corrosion. Also the framework of the plant was hot galvanized to stand up to the severe weather conditions. All electrical equipment in the plant is protected against the constant danger of explosion in the gas field.
COMPLETE TEST RUN BEFORE DELIVERY
KPA Unicon's customer is IMPaC - a German engineering company in the oil and gas industry who work in the Okoloma gas field in Nigeria for the multinational oil and gas giant Shell.
To guarantee smooth operation at the final destination, the boiler plant was completely tested in Finland before delivery. After the plant was manufactured in Joroinen, it was disassembled and then reassembled in the city of Varkaus for the test run. Numerous inspections were performed in the boiler plant - for example, 10% of all welded seams were X-rayed.
DEMANDING CONDITIONS ARE WAITING AT THE FINAL DESTINATION
The conditions on the gas field are very demanding. The equipment must endure great changes in temperature. During the day the temperature can climb up to 40ºC and drop to freezing during the night.
This boiler plant is not the only plant of its kind in the Okoloma field. There are several plants in operation but this is the first plant manufactured in Finland. According to Jarmo Koskenkorva, KPA Unicon has previously delivered two boiler plants for Shell in Russia, so the relationship had already been established.
The boiler plant going to Nigeria was shipped in mid-May. Assembly work in Nigeria can start in July.
For more information on this company:
KPA Unicon - Water Boiler and Steam Boiler Plants for Heat and Steam Production
Copyright 2008SPG Media Limited a subsidiary of SPG Media Group PLC
