Abu Dhabi, UAE / Hamburg, Germany- The Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP) project will receive technical assurance and certification by Germanischer Lloyd (GL). The contract on technical assurance, risk and safety, asset management and industrial inspection was awarded by China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation
(CPECC), the main EPC contractor, and signed by Mr. Hassan Fahim, GL's Country Manager United Arab Emirates, and Mr. Liu Xihui, CPECC Project
Director.
With a length of 400 km and 48 inches diameter the pipeline from Habshan in Abu Dhabi, where it links to the Abu Dhabi Company for onshore Oil operation (ADCO), to Main Oil Terminal (MOT) in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates will transport 1.0 - 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil. The pipeline will develop a reliable export capability on the eastern seaboard of UAE which can accommodate larger vessels. The project includes the construction of 12 million barrel of storage tanks
in the Main Oil Terminal facilities (MOT) in the Emirate of Fujairah for crude exports. Construction started earlier in 2008 and is scheduled to
be completed by August 2011.
Germanischer Lloyd will deliver third party inspection and certification services for the 400 km crude oil pipeline. More than 100 engineers of various disciplines will ensure the ghigh quality and integrity of the pipeline construction work over the next 2.5 years. Upon completion Germanischer Lloyd will issue a certificate of complience for the entire project. Non-destructive testing (NDT) services include advanced automatic ultrasonic testing (AUT) for the entire pipeline and pump stations with more than 30,000 welds are also part of GL's services. Three subsea pipelines which are part of the project will be certified by Germanischer Lloyd. Certification includes a thorough design review and regular site inspection.
"This project is considered as one of the most strategic and potential projects in UAE", says Hassan Fahim, GL's Country Manager UAE. "The pipeline will allow the world's third-largest oil exporter to pump around 60 % of its crude exports to Fujairah port, thereby avoiding the strategic shipping choke avoiding the strait of Hormuz. Germanischer Lloyd supports this important pipeline with technical assurance, risk and safety, asset management and industrial inspection services."