Cape Town, 25 July 2013 – PetroSA, South Africa’s National Oil Company, has appointed integrated construction and infrastructure services firm Group Five, as the Engineering Management Contractor (EMC) for the 2013 maintenance shutdown.
Group Five were appointed following a rigorous tender process. The successful South African-owned bidder is part of the core team working on the 2013 shutdown, and will mainly manage the mechanical works during the maintenance period.
Group Five, a JSE-listed company, is a diversified construction, infrastructure concessions and related services group engaged in resources, energy, real estate and infrastructure delivery. The company operates in South Africa, Africa and Europe.
PetroSA will suspend operations at its Mossel Bay facilities for 37 days from 22 September for a planned statutory maintenance shutdown. The maintenance shutdown will affect the Mossel Bay Gas-To-Liquids (GTL) Refinery and the offshore FA Platform. The statutory shutdown is aimed at ensuring the integrity of equipment and systems at the GTL Refinery and FA Platform. PetroSA is required by law to undergo a maintenance shutdown of facilities every four years.
Dr Thabo Kgogo, PetroSA’s Vice President of Operations, has welcomed the appointment of Group Five.
“At PetroSA we have a very proud record of executing our shutdowns on time and within budget. In appointing Group Five as the EMC contractor, we are confident it is a continuation of that proud record. Group Five is a well-established company, with lots of experience,” he said.
“They will assist in not only making sure we continue with our proud record, but that the shutdown is executed with professionalism and expertise, while also adhering to environmental and safety requirements,” Dr Kgogo added.
To ensure a successful shutdown, PetroSA identified 86 contracts (of which the EMC is but one) that have or will be awarded. These include numerous technology suppliers and OEM’s (Original Equipment Manufacturers) which will be involved in inspecting and overhauling compressors, turbines and complex electronic equipment.
All of these contracts will work very close with Group Five, and PetroSA will oversee and ensure the success of Shutdown.
The four-yearly scheduled shutdown is expected to involve a combined workforce of about 4000 full and part-time employees. This is inclusive of temporary employees sourced from the Mossel Bay community. During the 2009 shutdown, 80% of the total workforce was made up of people from the Mossel Bay area. PetroSA is confident of maintaining similar employment levels in the 2013 shutdown.
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