Initially Simon focused on upgrading heavy fuel oil facilities. 25,360m3 of heated and insulated storage has been refurbished to date, together with construction of new interlinking pipelines. A new energy efficient steam raising plant was also installed. Simon was vindicated in making the investment and has seen volumes handled through these facilities exceed all expectations.
The Simon team then focused on making significant improvements to white oil facilities. In 2005 and 2006 two construction phases saw a new 12” pipeline constructed from Simon’s East Terminal to the nearby refinery facilities to complement an existing 10” pipeline along with the installation of two 415V 200 kW pumps capable of a combined transfer rate of 1000m3/hr. This was followed in December 2008 by the installation and commissioning of two 3.3 Kv soft start 355 kW pump systems capable of delivering hydrocarbons at a combined rate of at least 1100m3/hr into the local refinery network. The same pumps are also now being used for product exports to the Immingham jetties, capable of handling up to 50,000 tonne vessels.
At Simon’s Immingham West Terminal, further new pipelines and pumping systems were installed in 2008 to enable biodiesel to be transferred by pipeline for blending operations. January 2009 has seen 15,000 m3 of new storage commissioned for white oils. Further investments are planned for 2009 aimed at enabling bioethanol to be handled by pipeline, as well as bringing a further 35,500m3 of storage presently under construction at the East Terminal into service.
