Marsden faults

Press, 16 July 1983, Page 2

Marsden faults

PA Whangarei Faults have been discovered in the wellding work of the flue stack support structures for the Marsden Point oil refinery expansion. The structures, specially built overseas by the Dutch firm Demy BV, are designed to carry the four 120 metre-high flues which will take boiler and heater gases from the expanded refinery. The full extent of the problem is not yet known, but the JV2 project manager, Mr Jack Hardie, has

confirmed that some of the welding work will have to be “redone or repaired.” At the nearby harbour board jetty, all officials remained silent about the possibility of water damage to the giant 1000-tonne crane brought to New Zealand aboard the ship Breda berthed at Marsden Point. Waterside workers have begun unloading general cargo from the ship. The crane brought to New Zealand specially to lift the big reactors into place and to hoist the top sections of the

flue stack into position was one of the first items loaded on to the ship.

It is known that the Breda took on salt water during the later stage of its journey to New Zealand and this possibly could have seriously damaged the crane, particularly its sophisticated controls. If so, the damage could result in some delay to the refinery expansion.

In Whangarei, the actual flues for the exhaust stacks are nearing completion. Whangarei Engineering and Construction (W.E.C.0.) won a contract from Demy to fabricate the flues locally. There are 36 flue sections, the largest 4.1 metres in diameter, tapering to 1.5 metres at the top.

The first sections are expected to be delivered to Marsden Point late this month.

Mr Hardie said faults had also been found in sections not yet put into place. He said that the repair procedures were being discussed with Demy, which under the terms of its contract was responsible for any remedial work.