Engen, the energy multinational, has won a €960 000 tender to provide fuel to the mega construction project to build Reunion’s New La Nouvelle Route du Littora, a 12km long “highway over the sea” that will connect the island’s two biggest cities – Saint Denis and La Possession - as well as the Port and Roland Garros Airport, on its completion in 2018.

The old Route du Littoral is a coast-hugging highway said to carry 60% of Reunion’s freight. It is highly exposed to natural hazards such as frequent cyclonic swells and rock falls, causing major inconvenience and even danger to 80 000 travellers using it every day, especially when lanes are closed. The benefits of the new road – La Nouvelle Route du Littoral – are expected to easily outweigh the investment with its safety and economic benefits.

12 million litres in 4 years
Jean-Pierre Payet, Marketing Manager (Retail, Sales and Lubricants) for Engen in Reunion, says Engen will supply an estimated 12- million litres of 10ppm diesel to the project, which is to be carried out by a consortium involving GTOI – a subsidiary of Colas, and SBTPC - a subsidiary of Vinci Construction and Vinci Earthmoving Contractors.

“The work started in October 2014 and is due for completion in 2018,” he says. “The highway will consist of four sections of dike road – two by three lanes – and an interchange at La Possession. “We expect the daily fuel requirement over the course of the project to be around 12 million litres.”

After analysing the requirements and constraints of the project, Engen proposed a delivery solution comprising automated delivery into construction equipment with computerised fuel management and security elements.

As backup, Engen has proposed installation of a 50 000 litre emergency fuel tank to combat contingencies.

“This has a number of benefits over delivery to existing SBTPC storage tanks, namely better control over fuel management, economies, security and environmental protection,” Payet says.

Fuel management control
The software-controlled delivery system prevents unauthorised refuelling and cancels out human error, thereby expediting invoicing. It further harvests vehicle data including mileage, thus providing detailed insights – among others into vehicle fuel efficiency.

Security
An anti-siphoning system pairs identification technology in trucks with intelligent fuel nozzles. If the nozzle recognises the machine, fuel can be dispensed while it is in the mouth of the fuel tank. If it is removed, fuelling stops.

Cost-effective
The solution removes the need for the customer to mobilise resources for storage facilities and delivery management, or to undergo civil works for an extra storage and distribution area.

Safety and environment
This project integrated stringent environmental quality controls to effectively manage any environmental risks such as leakage and fire hazards.

Proud
Drikus Kotze, General Manager of Engen’s International Business Division says the company is proud to be part of a project of the magnitude of Nouvelle Route du Littoral. “Reunion is moving forward with this and we are pleased to be helping.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdl7s21Wciw

For more information please contact Gavin Smith, Engen Group Communication Manager,
Gavin.Smith@engenoil.com   Tel: +27 21 403 4312   Cell: +27 82 379 1700