Sarens was commissioned by Valero to provide a factory-to-foundation solution for the replacement of two large columns as part of the turnaround at Valero’s refinery in Pembroke. The new columns had to be transported from the fabrication yard in northern Spain. The old columns had to be replaced and new columns had to be installed on the foundations at the Valero HL quay in Pembroke, UK under live plant conditions.

Sarens’ scope of work included collecting two new columns/vessels from Gijon, Spain using a geared ship, shipping the vessels to Port of Pembroke and unload to the SPMTs, and subsequently transferring to stools where they were dressed.

Additionally, Sarens had to pick-up the columns from stools on SPMT and transfer to the barge for shipment from Port of Pembroke to the Valero HL quay, where it would load-in on SPMTs and transfer to laydown area. The company also lifted out the two old columns from the unit using SGC90 and lifted in two new columns.

Considering that the load-out and load-in had to be performed under live plant conditions and heavy wind, Sarens deployed its new electric giant crane – the SGC-90, an environmentally-friendly electric ring crane ideal for projects in the nuclear, logistics, construction, and offshore wind sectors.

The newest crane in the fleet was developed in response to market demand for heavy lift cranes with capacities greater than 80.000 TM. Its ring diameter is 35 metres, maximum counterweight is 2.700 tonnes, and maximum load moment is 99.000 tonnes. It can be configured in a variety of ways, with main boom lengths of 100, 120, and 130 metres and a small jib of 200 tonnes. The Sarens heavy duty and light jib can also be used to reach further or attain a higher hook height.

The two columns replaced were a depropaniser weighing 456 tonnes and measuring 55m x 10.2m x 11.3m, as well as an acid settler weighing 438 tonnes and measuring 38.2m x 12.8m x 13.5m.

While delivering the new components via Milford Haven to the project quay, the crew had to deal with some of the largest tidal ranges in the world along with the added challenging on-site route comprising of a steep winding road from the refinery heavy lift Ro-Ro quay to the refinery site.