FEED for refineries 2

[Steve1982]

My company is bringing in an engineering firm to do the FEED for a refinery. Was wondering if anyone had examples of contracts and docs between owner and engineering firm about doing the FEED (requirements for maturity of the design, studies etc).

Cheers.

 

[EmmanuelTop]

What kind of FEED? Greenfield project to erect refinery where there is grass at the moment? Or a FEED project in the existing refinery? For what exactly?

Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE

 

[Steve1982]

Its a new refinery on a greenfield site so not an upgrade. The FEED would be for plot plan and basic engineering design. EPC contractor at the next phase would verify basic design in the FEED and do detailed engineering on the process units.

 

[EmmanuelTop]

Thanks. I doubt anyone can share these kind of documents on the forums.

The subject is rather complex and I think it would take many days and many pages to touch only a portion of things which are necessary to be addressed. There are so many things which come into play: feed stock, configuration, throughput's, impurity levels, specifications, technologies, communication - automation, safety, security, storage, supply, personnel, Capex, Opex, procurement, schedule, permits... I have probably omitted at least equal amount of other topics.

The best suggestion is: get contract with someone who does refinery FEED studies for living. Everything else comes with much higher risk. Second option: get in touch with consultancy companies specialized in this stuff (e.g. I have very good experience with KBC) and let them prepare/review your contractual and engineering documents for FEED.

Building a refinery is such an expensive thing that you want to make sure everything goes as smooth as physically possible. Engaging an experienced 3rd party will cost you peanuts when compared to the total project cost.


Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE

 

[EmmanuelTop]

http://www.kbcat.com/industries/refining

Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE

 

[Steve1982]

Thank you very much for the tips. Best regards.

 

[EmmanuelTop]

It seems like they have been involved recently in the Refineria Del Pacific project

http://www.kbcat.com/insights-reports/case-studies/item/201-new-refinery-construction-study

so this more or less covers those areas you mentioned. I remember from my previous company business with KBC that virtually any kind of refinery-related consulting service can be tailored. Apart from studies on future expansion we also had a contract for test runs and operational modifications in several units.

Here is the RDP refinery. Too bad I do not understand Spanish.

http://www.rdp.ec/

Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE

 

[poli60]

Steve,
in the past 30 years, I've followed FEED projects for refineries.
Generally an owner, before starting a FEED, has already done a lot of work; at least:
- A market study (from companies like Purvin & Gertz, Nexant, ICIS...)
- A feasibility study including a configuration study (the field where KBC is strong)
- The preliminary definition of the main licensed units (thru competing technical proposals asked to companies like UOP-Honeywell, IFP-Axens. Shell, CLG, ExxonMobil......)
- A bank/financial advisor has been already involved in the process to start looking at the financial aspects
- Contacts with the local Authorities have been already established and well developed to understand their requirements
....
All this materials will only be a starting point (for companies like Foster Wheeler, Fluor, WorleyParsons....) for the FEED, a project lasting about 12-18 months and involving hundreds of engineers (plus the supporting people).
At the end of this effort, all the Bid documentation will be available to the Owner staff.
You've to think about hundreds of big books (or the equivalent in electronic format).
As Dejan already wrote, it's impossible to cover every aspect of this matter on a single post, but I hope to have provided you with a more detailed view "from inside".
Good luck!