deugro successfully completes delivery of oversized and heavy lift slug catcher to Abu Dhabi

deugro Oman, in cooperation with deugro UAE, successfully delivered an oversized and heavy well fluid slug catcher from Nizwa, Oman via the Port of Duqm, Oman, to Mina Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

deugro was awarded the contract for this project based on the experts’ technical concept, including
a sophisticated transport engineering solution and timely ocean freight options despite extremely
tight timelines.

The well fluid slug catcher measured 28.20 x 6.5 x 7.0 meter and weighed 254 metric tons. To ensure the safe and on-time movement of this oversized and heavy lift slug catcher, deugro arranged for a route survey; detailed transport, stability, lashing and lifting plans; and regular technical meetings with the client and dteq Transport Engineering Solutions (dteq).

The cargo pick-up location was in Nizwa in southeastern Oman. Therefore, from a geographical
perspective, the closest port would have been the Port of Sohar. However, to minimize costly and
time-consuming route and civil work, a route survey identified the Port of Duqm as the ideal port of
departure.

“The biggest challenge was the pre-carriage from the cargo pick-up location in the Nizwa Industrial
Estate to the Port of Duqm, Oman. Due to the cargo’s dimensions and weight, the identification of
the best-suited route and any potential obstacles such as low bridges, narrow roads, road crossings
and overhead signboards was vital to ensure safe and on-time delivery,” said Deepak Fernandes,
Transport Engineer, dteq Transport Engineering Solutions, UAE.

Under personal supervision of dteq, the slug catcher was received and secured on a multi-axle
hydraulic trailer according to dteq’s securing arrangement. To ensure safe operations, a site survey
was conducted in cooperation with dteq beforehand to discuss the procedures with the heavy hauler
and the client.

Receiving the cargo on the multi-axle hydraulic trailer

Once the trailer, prime mover and securing were inspected, the trailer started its 700 -kilometer
journey to the Port of Duqm, Oman. The road route required minor modifications such as the leveling,
filling and compacting of loose soil and potholes, the removal of poles and sign boards, the
installation of scaffolding and plywood to cross an interlock area, as well as major modifications such
as removing road guard rails.

“High wind speeds and sandstorms between Nizwa, Ghaba, Qarn Alam, Haima and Duqm along the
route meant great caution was essential to ensure the safety of the workers and the cargo. Therefore,
during the journey, we provided daily status updates for all parties involved,” said Shaheen Sherif,
Operations Manager, deugro Muscat.

After five days, the slug catcher safely arrived at the Port of Duqm, where it was punctually loaded
with centimeter-precision by the heavy lift vessel’s own cranes and under the personal supervision
of the local deugro team. Once the slug catcher was stowed and securely lashed in accordance with
the method statements prepared by dteq, the vessel set sail to Mina Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi, UAE,
where it was unloaded directly onto SPMTs under the personal supervision of deugro UAE—ready
for on-carriage to its final destination. All images: deugro

Loading operations at the Port of Duqm, Oman

Top image: The 700 km journey to the Port of Duqm, Oman