KPC signs Mombasa-Nairobi pipeline contract

Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) and Zakhem International Construction Co. Ltd have signed a contract for the construction of a 20 in. oil pipeline from Mombasa to Nairobi. Under the contract, Zakhem International Construction Co. Ltd will undertake the following:

• Construction of a 20 in. pipeline and a 96 core fibre optic cable along the right-of-way of KPC from Mombasa to Nairobi.
• Site preparation and civil works including buildings, pump shelters, equipment support in the pump stations and reinstatement works on services which might be affected by the project such as fencing, gates, roads, paths, drainage and water supply.
• Construction of four new pump stations at Pump Station (PS)1 (Changamwe), PS3 (Maungu), PS5 (Mtito Andei) and PS7 (Sultan Hamud), and two booster pumps at PS14 (Kipevu). Each pump station will have two pumps, one pump in operation and one on standby.
• Upgrade of fire fighting facilities at PS12 (Moi International Airport), PS9 (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport), PS10 (Nairobi Terminal) and PS14 (Kipevu Oil Storage Facility).
• Construction of fire fighting systems for the new pump station at PS1, PS3, PS5 and PS7.
• Erection of outdoor high voltage power substation switchyards together with provision of onsite electrical distribution systems at medium and low voltage, cabling, standby diesel engine generators, lighting and small power.
• Installation of automatic control system and field instrumentation systems for pipeline automatic operation.
• Testing, commissioning and handover of the new pipeline to KPC.

Speaking during the ceremony, KPC Managing Director Charles Tanui said the rolling out of the project was a manifestation of KPC’s commitment to realising the Port Community Charter he signed with other port stakeholders and witnessed by the President in Mombasa. In the Charter, KPC has committed to create capacity for handling transporting, storing and transferring projected volumes of petroleum products from the port of Mombasa to the hinterland.

Tanui said the tender process was above board and in tandem with the best international practice. “The rulings by the Public Procurement Oversight Authority (PPOA) and the High Court have vindicated KPC from any malpractice. We therefore must proceed with zeal and tenacity to meet the set timeliness,” he added. PPOA dismissed a petition by three companies; China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation, Kalpataru Power Transmission and China WuYi Company Limited challenging the tendering process.

On project completion, Tanui said efficiency, focusing on adherence to quality standards and strict timelines are key for the successful delivery of the project. He said being a Vision 2030 project, observation of the above timelines is critical for an effective delivery of this project. “I am more than convinced that with over 40 years’ experience the contractor has had in the construction of oil pipelines, Zakhem will meet the 18 month construction period,” he said.

The 43 billion project will be executed by Zhakem International under the consultancy of Shengli Engineering and Consulting Company Limited of China. Zakhem’s Managing Director Ibrahim S. Zakhem said the company’s initial experience with the Mombasa-Nairobi oil pipeline gives them comfort in undertaking the new project. “Being the company that constructed the initial Mombasa-Nairobi multi-product oil pipeline line in 1973, I am confident that we are equal to the task and shall certainly deliver the project within the stipulated time,” stated Zakhem.

Adapted from press release by Rosalie Starling

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/08072014/kpc_signs_mombasa_nairobi_pipeline_contract_614/