Name and Location
New multiproduct pipeline (NMPP), from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng, South Africa.

Client
Transnet Pipelines.

Project Description
The NMPP is a strategic investment to secure the long-term supply of petroleum products from the coastal terminals of Durban to the inland market, predominantly in Gauteng.

The full network comprises a 162 km, 16-inch-diameter inland pipeline network, incorporating links from Kendal to Waltloo, Alrode to Langlaagte and from Jameson Park to Alrode; a 555 km, 24-inch-diameter trunk line from Island View, in Durban, to Jameson Park, in Gauteng (crossing rivers, mountains and wetlands as it rises 1 500 m from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng); inland and coastal terminals; and three pumpstations.

The network is expected to have a capacity of 1 000 m³/h when brought on stream, which could be scaled up to 3 000 m³/h by adding new pumpstations.

The new pipeline is designed to have a life cycle spanning more than 70 years.

The project also entails the upgrading of the Island View station at the Port of Durban.

Value
According to Transnet latest annual report R21.4-billion has been invested in the NMPP at the end of March this year, with the investment for the year totalling R3.1-billion.

Duration
The trunk line was successfully commissioned in December 2011 and put into operation in January 2012.
The project is expected to be completed in April 2015.

Latest Developments
The trunk line, which is designed for multiproduct services – petrol and diesel – is operating in diesel service only.
Once the coastal and the inland terminals are operational the trunk line will be used in a multiproduct service capacity.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Nersa (licence); Bohlweki-SiVEST joint venture (JV) (environmental-impact assessment or EIA); Group Five Civils, Spiecapag and WK Construction consortium (construction contract); Arup, in JV with WorleyParsons (engineering, procurement and construction management services and front-end engineering design); Impumelelo (coated-line pipe); McB Marketing and Engineering (mainline check and ball valves); Project Materials South Africa (induction bends); General Electric Nuovo Pignone (mainline and Jameson Park pumps); Aqua Air Cape (launchers and receivers); Filteg (mainline strainers); GE South Africa Technologies JV (generator suppliers); Group Five KwaZulu-Natal/Group Five Oil and Gas (pumpstations 1, 3 and 5); Group Five Civil Engineering and Group Five Projects (construction works at Terminal 2); Kinross-based Industrial Supplies Manufacturing Engineering (industrial supply manufacturer and engineer), Krohne (design and supply meter provers), Kentz (project management consultant)

On Budget and on Time?
The project’s is more than four years behind schedule. The delay is expected to push the projects price tag beyond R23.4-billion, more than double its original budget of R11.1-billion.

Contact Details for Project Information
Aqua Air Cape, tel +27 21 531 1603, fax +27 21 531 1616 or email info@aqua-air.co.za.
Filteg, tel +27 11 606 3784, fax +27 11 606 3787.
Group Five Civil Engineering, tel +27 11 409 6600, fax +27 11 409 6750 or email civeng@groupfive.co.za.
Nersa, tel +27 12 401 4600 or fax +27 12 401 4700.
Spiecapag, tel +33 1 5760 9515 or fax +33 1 5760 9778; or communications, email communication@spiecapag.com.
Transnet media liaison Viwe Tlaleane, tel +27 11 308 2384 or email Viwe.Tlaleane@transnet.net.
Group Five KwaZulu-Natal, tel +27 31 569 0300 or email g5kzn@groupfive.co.za.
Group Five Projects, tel +27 11 899 4600, fax +27 11 918 2707 or email projects@groupfive.co.za.
Group Five Oil & Gas, tel +27 31 792 7300 or fax +27 31 792 7340.
GE Transportation media contacts, tel +33 6 35 24 92 33.
Krohne, tel +27 11 314 1391 x 203.
Mineworkers Investment Company, tel +27 11 484 6814, fax +27 11 484 7062 or email info@mic.co.za.
Arcay Burson-Marsteller, on behalf of Kentz, tel +27 11 480 8512.