5/12/2006
G&G International successfully delivered the world’s biggest reactor/regenerator for a gigantic, integrated petrochemical site in Saudi Arabia.
Petrochemistry in the Golf region
Saudi Arabia is quickly becoming one of the world leaders in petrochemical production. In fact, development in this sector is one of the pillars of the economic diversification strategy of the local government. Currently one of the biggest integrated petrochemical sites ever is built on the shore of the Red Sea. The site will be operational at the end of 2008 and handle an annual production of some 2,4 million tonnes of petrochemicals as well as an enormous amount of refined fuels.
G&G International NV
From the start, the entire project was considered highly ambitious and revealing in scale, volume, complexity and execution deadline. Due to its level of difficulty, only a few companies worldwide were able to bid on this project. After an intensive negotiation procedure the investors decided in May 2005 to go ahead with G&G International for the construction of the biggest and most important devices. The Flemish company was the only one that had the necessary trust to properly complete this daring exploit. In its choice, the client primarily referred to their technical skills, reliability, flexibility, efficiency and quality. Today, the FCC Reactor-Regenerator, which makes up the heart of the production process as well as two polytethylene reactors, are the new showpieces on the reference list of G&G International.
Pioneering records
In many ways, this is a project of extremes and records. The dimensions and weight of these items come out above all the rest*. Never before have similar reactors of this size been built in just one piece.
Prior to production, a large number of complex computer calculations were made. The reactors had to be resistant to extreme pressure, temperatures and environmental factors such as wind and the risk of earthquakes. This goes together with a high level of finishing in the form of things such as flame-resistance covering and polished surfaces. The reactors were fitted with an integrated distribution system for the reacting agents with thousands of precisely placed and sized openings. Every individual welding was checked using an automated ultrasonic probe, a representative example of the total quality guarantee that G&G International was able to offer. As for delivery, the reactors reached up high. By way of its own RoRo wharf and the port of Antwerp, they were brought to their final destination in Saudi Arabia with the two biggest crane ships in the world, in a spectacular way. And this only 18 months after the official order!
Multinational collaboration
To realise this project Saudi, Japanese, English, American and Italian companies were involved. Together with the world’s leading refineries, petrochemical and chemical sites, processing plants and engineering firms they make up the client portfolio of G&G International. Thanks to vertical integration, the steel giant can offer its clients a full range of services, from construction design to transport and installation. Thanks to continuous investments, G&G International NV became world leader in the engineering and manufacturing of large pressure vessels such as columns, reactors, drums, spheres and bullets mainly for the chemical and petrochemical industries.
* We are not allowed to make public other pictures, actual dimensions and further technical specifications.