Iraq continues to recover from decades of war and conflict, and the nation’s need to produce, refine, and export oil is crucial for its success.
Working in conjunction with Iraq’s Ministry of Oil, North Refineries Company (NRC) recently added three new Tadano GR-300EX-3 model cranes to its existing fleet.
According to Mr. Sudad Ibrahim Majeed, Senior Chief Engineer of NRC, the company requires over 100 heavy machines including trucks, heavy machinery, forklifts, and cranes so it can continue to refine 310,000 barrels of oil per day.
The new GR-300EX models handle a variety of general maintenance activities involving welding, lifting pipes, ldamaged equipment, handling and lifting tanks, heat exchangers, and valves inside the refinery. They were purchased from Tadano through Sardar Automobile and Machinery Trading Co. Ltd (SAM), with delivery taken in September.
“They arrived just in the time we needed them. SAM was very helpful during all processes of delivery. The process was clearly communicated, and the advance and handover training was excellent, “Mr. Majeed said.
Founded in 1978, NRC is based in Baji, a city of 175,000 in northern Iraq’s Salahaddin Province, about 210km north of Baghdad. The company deals with a range of logistical challenges such as working in confined spaces indoors and at great heights for refinery plants, sometimes up to 112m.
“We are using the cranes on a daily basis as we have heavy loads to lift, fix, and lower back,” he added, noting that while the cranes have lift capacity limits beyond all refinery requirements, they follow the lifting tables closely and use safety factors to minimise risks and allow for efficient operation.
