Global heavy lift and transport specialist Mammoet has installed a 740t petroleum reactor at Oman’s Sohar Refinery as part of the oil facility’s turnaround works for 2019.

The Dutch multinational, which recently merged with ALE to consolidate its position as the world’s largest heavy lift and transport services provider, was contracted by Indian multinational conglomerate Larsen & Toubro to support the replacement of an RFCC reactor, external riser and associated components.

Using a 1600t-capacity crane, Mammoet removed the original reactor at the refinery and installed in its place a new 37m-long, 740t reactor at the refinery owned by Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (ORPIC).

Hamed Faqir Al Balushi, manager for project management at ORPIC, said: “The flawless execution of these critical turnaround activities demonstrates L&T’s strength in planning and execution of such high-risk jobs. Kudos to the entire construction team for converting the plan into reality ahead of time, particularly engineering, manufacturing teams of L&T and the heavy lift crew of Mammoet, as the components went into place as they were expected to. Excellent planning, execution and teamwork.”

Mammoet also installed the refinery’s original reactor in 2005 using a PTC-35 ring crane. The company said it worked closely with Larsen & Toubro to complete the present project, collaborating on procedures as well as detailed erection and lift plans to ensure all the lifts were carried out within a lifting height of 99m. Some of the lifts were completed with clearances of just 500 millimetres, Mammoet added.