Cookies

Van Oord uses cookies to ensure you have the best online experience and to improve our website. Read more in our Privacy and Cookie statement.

new oil refinery

Once in operation, the Dos Bocas refinery will process some 340,000 barrels of crude oil per day. This plant will make Mexico self-sufficient in refined petroleum products and will enhance the country's independence. 

Mexico's

 Finished project

A solid base for

‘For the first time in 40 years, a new refinery is being built in Mexico. A project of great importance to 120 million Mexicans. We are very happy and satisfied with the work that Van Oord performs.’

Norma Rocío Nahle García
Mexico’s Energy Minister

How does
it work

Tim Helbo
Director Dredging at Van Oord, responsible for the Americas

Compaction technology
In order to make the site ready for construction after the reclamation, dynamic compaction was applied in cooperation with subsidiary Wicks. This technique involves a crane dropping a falling weight of 24 tonnes, equal to the weight of over 20 passenger cars, to the ground. It compacts the soil layer in a short period of time and makes it ready for construction more rapidly. Cranes from all over the world were transported to Dos Bocas to get the work done on time. Only then could the construction of the refinery start according to plan. 

Leading role for cutter suction dredger Athena
Cutter suction dredger Athena, one of the largest and youngest cutter suction dredgers in Van Oord's fleet, extracted over 12 million cubic metres of sand for the site reclamation. The experienced crew pulled out all the stops to achieve optimal production. Maintenance and repairs were carried out only if weather conditions temporarily made dredging impossible.

The crew of the cutter suction dredger are regularly trained in Van Oord's own simulator centre. Thanks to the real-time external view of the activities, these trainings sessions are very realistic and valuable.

On your marks, get set…go!
Only 9 days after the signing of the contract, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador kicked off the project on 2 June 2019. A day later, work started and in the spring of 2020, within one year, the 600-hectare site that will eventually house an oil refinery was completed. This tight deadline was achieved thanks to the efforts of a highly experienced team and Van Oord's expertise in dredging and consolidation. 

Van Oord was the main contractor for the construction of the site on which the refinery is being built. It was created at breakneck speed. Check out the story behind the deadlines. 

new oil refinery

Once in operation, the Dos Bocas refinery will process some 340,000 barrels of crude oil per day. This plant will make Mexico self-sufficient in refined petroleum products and will enhance the country's independence. 

Mexico's

A solid base for

 Finished project

Compaction technology
In order to make the site ready for construction after the reclamation, dynamic compaction was applied in cooperation with subsidiary Wicks. This technique involves a crane dropping a falling weight of 24 tonnes, equal to the weight of over 20 passenger cars, to the ground. It compacts the soil layer in a short period of time and makes it ready for construction more rapidly. Cranes from all over the world were transported to Dos Bocas to get the work done on time. Only then could the construction of the refinery start according to plan. 

‘Timely completion of this landmark project would not have been possible without the razor-sharp focus and fierce dedication of our crew and staff. We worked on this project in challenging times, with the COVID-19 outbreak imposing extra restrictions. I’m proud of what we can achieve when we join forces and work together to overcome the challenges we face on our projects.’

Tim Helbo
Director Dredging at Van Oord, responsible for the Americas

Leading role for cutter suction dredger Athena
Cutter suction dredger Athena, one of the largest and youngest cutter suction dredgers in Van Oord's fleet, extracted over 12 million cubic metres of sand for the site reclamation. The experienced crew pulled out all the stops to achieve optimal production. Maintenance and repairs were carried out only if weather conditions temporarily made dredging impossible.

The crew of the cutter suction dredger are regularly trained in Van Oord's own simulator centre. Thanks to the real-time external view of the activities, these trainings sessions are very realistic and valuable.

‘For the first time in 40 years, a new refinery is being built in Mexico. A project of great importance to 120 million Mexicans. We are very happy and satisfied with the work that Van Oord performs.’

Norma Rocío Nahle García
Mexico’s Energy Minister

On your marks, get set…go!
Only 9 days after the signing of the contract, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador kicked off the project on 2 June 2019. A day later, work started and in the spring of 2020, within one year, the 600-hectare site that will eventually house an oil refinery was completed. This tight deadline was achieved thanks to the efforts of a highly experienced team and Van Oord's expertise in dredging and consolidation. 

Van Oord was the main contractor for the construction of the site on which the refinery is being built. It was created at breakneck speed. Check out the story behind the deadlines. 

About Marine ingenuity

As a global maritime contractor, Van Oord focuses on dredging, oil & gas infrastructure and offshore wind. Marine ingenuity is Van Oord’s signature and the foundation of our success. It is the spark that lights the spirit of our professionals.
Fullscreen