Project Profile
Location: Sasolburg, South Africa
Value: US$1,150 million
Startup Year: 2015 (Phase 1)
The project is looks to increase production of medium waxes and liquid paraffins by 50 percent. Sasol Wax is expanding its hard wax production facility at its Sasolburg Sasol One site, near Johannesburg in South Africa. The plant produces about 200,000t of hard waxes, medium waxes, liquid paraffins and waxy oils. Named as the Fischer-Tropsch wax expansion project (FTWEP), the project is part of the company\'s plans to double the hard waxes capacity at the site and significantly increase the production of medium waxes and liquid paraffins.
When complete, the US$1.15billion Sasol Wax expansion project will create about 70 to 100 permanent jobs. The expansion is part of a major R14bn project called the Sasol expansion programme. The Fischer-Tropsch wax expansion project was announced in September 2008 and the investment was approved in December 2009. The expansion is being undertaken in two phases.
In September 2008, the company spent US$66.9m towards the completion of basic engineering of the first phase and pre-preparation investment for the second phase. Construction work on the first phase started in March 2010. When completed in September 2012, the first phase will increase the capacity of the site by 40%. The second phase is expected to be operational in 2014. It will generate about 3,500 jobs during construction.
Foster Wheeler South Africa was contracted for providing front-end engineering designs (FEED) for the Sasol Wax expansion project in November 2008. The FEED was completed in the fourth quarter of 2009. In April 2009, Energy & Chemicals Group, a subsidiary of The Shaw Group, was selected for providing basic engineering support for the two wax production units. The company will design the proprietary equipment and optimise the technology. Group Five was contracted to carry out the civil and structural works such as bulk earthworks, building extensions, structural foundations, underground drainage systems and access roads. The engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract was awarded to Global Engineering and Construction, a subsidiary of Foster Wheeler, in March 2010. In February 2011, the Cosira Group was selected as the structural engineer for fabricating, supplying and erecting 1,500t of steel for structure and floor grating. Heaton Valves Africa is the valves supplier.
Phase 1 commissioned in June 2015
Operators:
Sasol: Operator with 100% interest
Contractors:
Foster Wheeler: FEED and EPCm contract
Shaw Group: Engineering support for two Fischer-Tropsch units
Cosira Group: Structural engineer for fabricating, supplying and erecting 1,500t of steel for structure and floor grating
Group Five: Civil and structural works
Wärtsilä: O&M contract
Subcontractors:
Heaton Valves Africa: Valve suppliers for Cosira Group