A tall order

New Plymouth heavy engineering specialists Fitzroy Engineering Group, shipped one of the biggest and most complex catalytic reactors yet built in New Zealand to a New South Wales oil refinery earlier this year.

“Because of the complexity of this vessel, we had to develop some specific weld procedures, learn new skills, and stay focused in order to complete this project on time and within budget – it was a major task,” says New Zealand marketing manager Mark Arnold.

The project started in late 2006 when Shell Refining Australia awarded Fitzroy Engineering Group (FEGL) a $17 million (approximately) contract to design, procure, fabricate and deliver a new catalytic reactor for the Clyde Refinery in Parramatta that supplies about 40 percent of greater Sydney's refined petroleum requirements.

Refinery reactors use catalysts, high temperatures (up to 550ºC) and high pressures, to refine crude oil into various petroleum products, including petrol and diesel.

There were also a number of subcontractors assisting FEGL to complete the work on schedule.

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