The owner of the Saudi Aramco Hydrocracking Project undertaken by SNEI is Saudi National Oil Company Saudi Aramco, and the EPC contractor is Technip. As per requirements of the contract between the Owner and the EPC Contractor, a camp area should be built at the project site.
In contrast to the contractual schedule of more than 2 years for the main project, the schedule for the camp area is only six months, but it is a living facility that is closely related to the livelihood of more than 1,000 staff on site. To some extent, it is also a small-sized EPC project. From the early site investigation and survey, engineering design drawings, all the way to subcontracting, material procurement, plan development and construction, it is all organized and performed by the Hydrocracking Project Management Team of SNEI Saudi Branch Company. For this, leaders both from SNEI and SNEI Saudi Branch Company and also the project management team pay high attention to the building of the camp area, expecting to make it ready for occupation within the shortest time possible.
Since commencement of construction from the end of September 2010, the Project Management Team faces multiple difficulties including the parallel construction of the 100,000m2 laydown area and the 700m2 offices, and commencement of main plant steel structure, mechanical and piping work one after another. By overcoming difficulties like the shortage of manpower and material supply, and unfamiliarity of the contract specifications, and also by refined engineering design and planning, strengthening material procurement and coordination, and scientific organization of construction activities, the Project Management Team eventually managed to finish the construction of the camp area which measures about 40,000m2 by the end of May this year, with high quality. On June 1, the camp area passed the joint inspection and acceptance by the Owner and EPC Contractor. On June 3, the camp area has welcomed in the first batch of site staff. Till now, more than 150 persons have moved in, and other people are moving in by batch.
The camp area involves many different types of buildings, including 103 barracks, 8 toilets, and canteen, refrigeration room, storage room, guard room, shop, clinic and administration office, etc. Entertainment facilities include activity room, badminton field and basketball field, etc. The camp area is also provided with a car park (shed), surrounding flower bed and a signal reception tower. For so many buildings and associated systems, the designers of the Project Management Team carefully studied the specifications, and provided excellent design to achieve a proper arrangement with a pleasant appearance and in accordance with the safety and functional requirements. Final acceptance by the Owner also shows that the design is appropriate, which has earned recognition and commendation by the Owner, making it a splendid masterpiece within the camp area of the Owner.
On May 20, 2011, all systems in the camp area were finished and ready for acceptance. On May 21, the Project Management Team submitted the application for acceptance. On May 22, the Owner, the EPC Contractor and Project Management Team conducted a joint acceptance of the camp area. Inspection was conducted for each functional area and system of the camp area. Many problems were identified during the inspection. The Project Management Team arranged rectification for several times. After finishing the correction, the Owner and the EPC Contractor are informed of the inspection. Back and forth, totally more than 6 inspections were conducted. It should be mentioned that the Owner specifically required the addition of smoke detection systems in each room and the canteen in the camp area, with each camera connected to a network system installed in the guard room and monitored by a dedicated person. In addition, the Owner also raised very critical requirement on the fire fighting system. The Project Management Team added 10 fire hoses (boxes), 4x10kg dry powder fire extinguishers, and after eliminating a number of punchlist items, the camp area eventually started to welcome the first batch of occupants on June 3.
Now, main hardware like the barracks, canteen, road and office area, and the associates facilities like the activity room, basketball field and shop are completed and ready, and greening area is being provided for the camp area. Till now, a completely functional and lively community is built in the barren desert. Despite various difficulties during the construction, all personnel involved in the construction of the camp area made their utmost efforts, and after several discussions with the Owner, the construction of the camp area proceeded smoothly, which will provide significant guarantee for the livelihood of all site staff to be involved in the construction of the main plant.