Kazakhstan
Our contribution to the growth of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas industry
Kazakhstan is among the top 15 countries in the world when it comes to essential oil reserves. The country has over 150 oil fields, of which the Tengiz field is one of the largest. Its geopolitical situation and independence have transformed it into an important link between Russia, China, and Europe.
‘Our contribution to the growth of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas industry’
Tengiz reservoir measures 19 kilometres by 21 kilometres. The entire Tengiz oilfield area, including the smaller Korolev field, is estimated to contain 750 million to 1.1 billion tonnes of recoverable oil. The field is operated by Tengizchevroil whose most recent project involves the construction and installation of new facilities to increase the production capacity of the oil field. Modules for the new plant will be transported by sea. To be able to do so, a new Cargo Transportation Route is being constructed from the Northeast Caspian to Tengiz. The route consists of an access channel to the port of Prorva, an offloading - and storage facility and a haul road. Van Oord is creating the access channel that will lead to the new facility to be operated by TenizService.
Not part of Van Oord’s contract, but included in the marine part of the Cargo Transportation Route project is the realisation of the Cargo Offloading Facility (COF). Mr. Mike Richmond, Marine Construction Manager of Tengizchevroil: ‘A single berth is being made that consists of a sheet pile wall. Along the quay, a special reinforced surface will be made that will be able to support the large cranes needed to unload the heavy modules. The COF is scheduled to be completed in 2018.’ Once finished, the project will enable the expansion of the Tengiz facilities. The Tengiz crude oil production capacity is anticipated to increase by approximately 12 million tonnes per year.
‘This may well be the most important project of the decade for Kazakhstan’s economic development. After we finish our work, our client will commence transporting modules to construct the new plant. It’s even building new ships to supply the modules to Tengiz.’
Four cutter suction dredgers are working in formation to get the enormous job done. Keeping the equipment in shape until winter arrives is an additional challenge for the crew. During execution, they depend on a floating workshop, designed by Van Oord, with all the relevant tools and equipment. Without this facility, equipment would have to be towed to Bautino for repair, a trip of at least 24 hours, one way.
‘The deadline for delivering the project is the summer of 2017, when the impressive, 68 kilometres long access channel will touch land,’ says Project Director Piet Prins. A Van Oord team of more than 350 employees must overcome a wide variety of challenges to get this enormous job done, including working at an extremely remote location, shallow water and environmental aspects. The project isn’t exactly next door: it’s a 150 kilometres from the Aktau airport to the project office in Bautino. This is followed by a boat trip of more than 300 kilometres to the outer entrance of the channel. Working offshore is only possible between April and October, before ice makes navigation impossible. The execution is expected to meet the tight delivery deadline, thanks to Van Oord’s logistical skills and clever solutions.
Just before winter arrives, a huge logistical operation is conducted to mobilise all 27 pieces of equipment to Bautino. The winter period is used to conduct repairs, maintenance or upgrades and to prepare for the new season offshore. All measures are being taken to make sure the project team and equipment are ready to move out again and finish the job safely and on time, as soon as the ice is gone.
Alongside the access channel 30 sand deposit sites have been created, 16 of which will form islands above water. The islands will be crucial assets for enhancing the potential for nature restoration and development. ‘The islands will be used by seals and various bird species,’ says Marine Fauna Observer Eva Latoszewska. Animals are already finding their way to new islands to rest and breed and the work has not even been completed yet. The project workers are therefore trained in how to protect the animals inhabiting the area.
Kazakhstan is among the top 15 countries in the world when it comes to essential oil reserves. The country has over 150 oil fields, of which the Tengiz field is one of the largest. Its geopolitical situation and independence have transformed it into an important link between Russia, China, and Europe.
Kazakhstan
Our contribution to the growth of Kazakhstan’s oil and gas industry
‘This may well be the most important project of the decade for Kazakhstan’s economic development. After we finish our work, our client will commence transporting modules to construct the new plant. It’s even building new ships to supply the modules to Tengiz.’
Tengiz reservoir measures 19 kilometres by 21 kilometres. The entire Tengiz oilfield area, including the smaller Korolev field, is estimated to contain 750 million to 1.1 billion tonnes of recoverable oil. The field is operated by Tengizchevroil whose most recent project involves the construction and installation of new facilities to increase the production capacity of the oil field. Modules for the new plant will be transported by sea. To be able to do so, a new Cargo Transportation Route is being constructed from the Northeast Caspian to Tengiz. The route consists of an access channel to the port of Prorva, an offloading - and storage facility and a haul road. Van Oord is creating the access channel that will lead to the new facility to be operated by TenizService.
Not part of Van Oord’s contract, but included in the marine part of the Cargo Transportation Route project is the realisation of the Cargo Offloading Facility (COF). Mr. Mike Richmond, Marine Construction Manager of Tengizchevroil: ‘A single berth is being made that consists of a sheet pile wall. Along the quay, a special reinforced surface will be made that will be able to support the large cranes needed to unload the heavy modules. The COF is scheduled to be completed in 2018.’ Once finished, the project will enable the expansion of the Tengiz facilities. The Tengiz crude oil production capacity is anticipated to increase by approximately 12 million tonnes per year.
‘The deadline for delivering the project is the summer of 2017, when the impressive, 68 kilometres long access channel will touch land,’ says Project Director Piet Prins. A Van Oord team of more than 350 employees must overcome a wide variety of challenges to get this enormous job done, including working at an extremely remote location, shallow water and environmental aspects. The project isn’t exactly next door: it’s a 150 kilometres from the Aktau airport to the project office in Bautino. This is followed by a boat trip of more than 300 kilometres to the outer entrance of the channel. Working offshore is only possible between April and October, before ice makes navigation impossible. The execution is expected to meet the tight delivery deadline, thanks to Van Oord’s logistical skills and clever solutions.
Four cutter suction dredgers are working in formation to get the enormous job done. Keeping the equipment in shape until winter arrives is an additional challenge for the crew. During execution, they depend on a floating workshop, designed by Van Oord, with all the relevant tools and equipment. Without this facility, equipment would have to be towed to Bautino for repair, a trip of at least 24 hours, one way.
Just before winter arrives, a huge logistical operation is conducted to mobilise all 27 pieces of equipment to Bautino. The winter period is used to conduct repairs, maintenance or upgrades and to prepare for the new season offshore. All measures are being taken to make sure the project team and equipment are ready to move out again and finish the job safely and on time, as soon as the ice is gone.
Alongside the access channel 30 sand deposit sites have been created, 16 of which will form islands above water. The islands will be crucial assets for enhancing the potential for nature restoration and development. ‘The islands will be used by seals and various bird species,’ says Marine Fauna Observer Eva Latoszewska. Animals are already finding their way to new islands to rest and breed and the work has not even been completed yet. The project workers are therefore trained in how to protect the animals inhabiting the area.