Project introduction:

Jubail Commercial Port is a multipurpose port capable of handling container, bulk and general cargo. Jubail Container Terminal (JCT) is the container handling terminal at the port with handling capacity of 1.8 million TEU per annum.

This Technical Due Diligence (TDD) project sits within a larger scope of work surrounding the concession agreement for the operation of the port and Public Private Partnership (PPP) potentials. The aim of the TDD was to provide an overview of the port, its operation, equipment, condition, and any special or notable risks.

As part of the Technical Due Diligence scope, ABL conducted comprehensive technical reviews of existing studies and designs related to the terminal’s high-risk items, condition assessments of the existing equipment and assets and reviewed the risks from both natural and allied hazards. In addition, ABL analysed the impact to the areas surrounding the terminal from both a social and environmental perspective.

Project introduction:

The Utapate crude oil is a new grade of crude oil produced at Nigeria’s Oil Mining Lease (OML) 13. It was introduced to the international market in July 2024 by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

It is known for its low sulphur content of 0.06555% and its low carbon footprint due its elimination of flare gas.

As a project, this achievement underscores Nigeria’s commitment to advancing environmentally sustainable energy production.

Production of the Utapate Crude blend began in May 2024, starting at 6,000 barrels per day and rapidly scaling up to exceed 40,000 barrels per day by May 27, 2024.

ABL’s operations in Nigeria were contracted to provide marine warranty survey (MWS) services to support the marine transportation and subsea installation operations relating to the project.

Project Introduction:

Jeonnam 1 is a 96-MW offshore wind farm located off the coast of Shinan County, Jeonnam Province in the southwest of Korea. Comprised of ten wind turbine generators (WTGs), Jeonnam 1 represents the country’s first commercial offshore wind farm.

The water depth at the site ranges from 5 to 20 metres, with monopile foundations featuring monopiles with diameters of up to 8.5m. The wind farm is scheduled to be operational in 2025.

ABL was appointed as the marine warranty surveyor (MWS) for the transportation and installation (T&I) for the foundations, export cable, inter array cable and wind turbine generator components. The scope of work included providing expert technical reviews, document approvals, vessel inspections and site attendances.

Having successfully completed the installation of the foundations and export/inter array cables, the installation of the first WTG was completed on September 30th 2024. Surveyors from ABL Korea and ABL Singapore attended on site to oversee the successful operation.

Key deliverables and benefits

• The client has a full suite of around 95 Performance Standards, signed off by client Technical Authorities and designated IVB (Independent Verification Body)
• These Performance Standards:
  • Comply with local legislative requirements
  • Are aligned with the client’s global standards and international standards
  • Are agreed for use by the client’s designated Independent Verification Body (IVB)

Project overview

Our thorough understanding and experience in delivering this type of project as an improvement cycle allowed a rigorous analysis and a robust improvement road map. The road map highlighted the improvement plan, steps for implementation and control.

Assessors and Verifiers will now be equipped with validation/evidence based on a recognisable process that is derived from the analysis and implementation plan covering the four focus areas of:

• ship management;
• maritime assurance;
• terminal management;
• and marine logistics.

This approach addressed any skills dilution that existed.

Challenges faced by the client

The client was experiencing challenges with skills dilution and current job competence profiles not at optimum.

Competency profiles were not aligned to Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping  (STCW), International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA), Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), The International Convention for Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) requirements.

What we did

Our scope of work was based on a three-phased approach:

Phase 1

Define – Programme definition and descriptive problem statement.

Measure – Identify international/national or best practice standards and qualifications across the four focus areas.

Analyse – Carry out a comprehensive gap analysis and generate a report. 

Design – Develop an improvement plan along with suggested controls ready for the next phase of the programme.

Verify – Propose the controls that should be in place to support the improvement plan.

Phase 2

Phase 2 was designed to provide implementation, assessment and verification of resources, as a follow on from Phase 1.

Job Competency Profiles covering approximately 40 positions across the four main shipping and marine areas were created.

Define – Expand program definition and refine descriptive problem statement.

Measure – Confirm applicability of international/national or best practice standards and qualifications across the four focus areas. Provide assessment of assessor and verifier profiles.

Analyse – Carry out a gap analysis and generate report for all positions.

Design – Develop an improvement plan along with suggested controls ready for the next phase of the program.

Verify – Issue report to client for approval.

Phase 3

The objective of Phase 3 was to hand over the entire process to the client.

Control – Ensure the designed implementation is being controlled through qualified and/or approved assessors and verifiers.

Implement – Apply designed improvements.

Project overview

ABL’s Asset Integrity Management team were contracted to prepare an equipment criticality review process document to be referenced in assessing the criticality of equipment at the client’s bulk storage asset (on site). ABL also provided all changes to the asset register and criticality scores as an upload file for the client CMMS.

The project was based on existing asset standards and other applicable local/international standards as well as ABL’s industry experience. It is expected that the criticality outputs will influence and guide the client’s maintenance function.

A fundamental part of the asset’s operations is effective management of the plant’s technical integrity. To assure this, it is imperative that all safety critical equipment and assets are identified, and the operational, maintenance and inspection routines are defined with the appropriate performance standard tasks.

Equally, to maintain the business obligations to customers at all times, it is important to identify all business critical assets, and put in place effective maintenance that will assure sustained reliability.