Load-out, Transport, Jacking, Skidding, and Lifting of Complex Structures in Serbia
Sarens performs series of intricate operations at the NIS Refinery in Pancevo, Serbia
28
May 2018

Serbia's Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) JSC, began construction of its bottom-of-the barrel (BOTB), complex as part of its modernisation programme to improve energy efficiency and increase production of higher-quality products, ensuring operational reliability at its 4.8 million-tonne/year refinery at Pancevo. Once operational, the 2,000-tonne/day BOTB complex will increase Pancevo's processing efficiency from a current 86 to 99.2 percent as well as increase the refinery's production of high-quality, low-sulphur gasoline, and diesel by more than 38 percent.

Sarens was chosen by NIS/CB&I to perform the load-out, transport, jacking, skidding, and lifting of equipment, two coke drums under a pipe rack, and steel constructions at Pancevo in Serbia. To undertake the project, the team deployed:

  • CC6800-1
  • TC2800
  • SCX2800-2
  • Skidding and jacking system
  • 48 axles of SPMT 

CC6800 with SSL 114m configuration, came from Rostock by road; SCX2800 with MB 48.75m configuration, came from UK by ship to Rotterdam and then by road to Pancevo. All other equipment came from Belgium by road. CC6800 was rigged in a congested area as there was only one access road of 130m x 12m. All trucks had to enter in reverse direction to be unloaded by the SCx2800, which rigged the main crane. The equipment was ready to perform the lifts in ten days. 

The project comprised of two stages:

  • Un-load of refinery components in Azatora port with TC2800 and transport to pre-dressing area, which took place in January 2018.
  • Transport of pre-dressed components to site and lifting with SCX2800 and CC6800, which took place between March and April 2018. 

The team performed the transport and lift of:

  • 11 columns ranging in height from 25m - 40m, diameter from 1.5m - 4.5m, and weight between 20-90T.
  • 2 coke drums weighing 220T and having a height and diameter of 30m and 7.5m respectively.
  • 4 parts of pre-assembled staircases having a total height of 65m, radius of 30m, and weight between 20-43T.
  • 3 parts of pre-assembled elevator shafts having a total height of 65m, radius of 30m, and weight between 18-50T.
  • 3 steel structures, 21m x10m x 20m weighing 164T; 21m x 10m x 12m weighing 240T; and 10m x 15m x 34m weighing 121T. 

The fifteen member crew placed all the components on top of a concrete foundation making a total height of 91.5m. According to Abderahim Bouazza, "For all the lifts, the crane had to pick up the load in tandem, slew and crawl with the load up to 40m. It was a challenging project to be performed in a very confined space with each component being both heavy and huge. Our teams coordinated to successfully complete the project under the guidance of our safety manager."