sPeCIAL ArABAL - ALUMINIUM-Nachrichten – ALU-WEB.DE

ALUMINIUM INdUstry IN the GULf
ePCM – a vital activity in the world of aluminium
The construction of aluminium production
facilities ranks alongside the biggest
of world projects, rivalled only by major
chemical process plants, city infrastructure
schemes, new underground transport
systems, harbour facilities and the like:
all huge enterprises elaborated on a massive
scale and involving a tremendous
complexity of operations – and of course,
associated multi-billion dollar costs.
The work required in building a major aluminium
smelter – greenfield or brownfield –
or an upgrade of downstream facilities, is invariably
on a massive scale, involving many
considerations, activities and complex components.
The necessary works involve extremely
close and careful coordination of all the individual
key parts of the project leading to completion
of the whole. Certain organisations
specialise in this vital work based essentially
on accumulated experience, knowledge – and
global reach.
EPCM – Engineering, Procurement and
Construction Management – is a common
form of contracting arrangement within
the aluminium / construction industry.
In an EPCM arrangement, the client, in
order to involve an experienced player
in large projects, selects a main contractor
who manages the whole project on its
behalf. The EPCM contractor essentially
ensures that the whole project is completed
as required to the client’s specifications
and on time. Normally, this involves
the EPCM contractor completing the basic
work such as site surveys, obtaining
clearances from authorities, undertaking
the basic engineering and also preparing
the site for the EPC contractors. Further,
the main contractor chooses the various
EPC contractors and ensures the elaboration
of the project as planned.
An EPCM contract is a natural progression
for an EPC contractor since, if
Construction work at the Emal Phase I smelter in spring 2009. SNC Lavalin was EPCM contractor for the Phase I
project and is also handling the EPCM services contract for the Phase II expansion.
the contractor has the capability to handle
the EPC work required in a project
then securing a wider role via an EPCM
job is advantageous. This helps to exploit its
current competencies while also ensuring better
control over the project. Also, the value
of the project managed through an EPCM
contract is far greater than the individual EPC
contracts.
A range of specialist EPCM companies is
called upon to offer total flexibility, and both
national and international experience in delivering
projects – from concept design through
to beneficial operation. This includes successfully
overseeing all elements of project and
construction management services, requiring
dedicated expertise at the cutting edge of a
diverse range of activities, including:
Feasibility studies and front end engineering
design: EPCM companies must ensure that
their imperatives of innovation, efficiency,
building capability and safety are embodied
into the fully integrated feasibility and detailed
design services offered, ensuring that all the
involved services are complementary. Costeffective
feasibility studies, embracing all sectors
and project locations, which take into account
the myriad of local and regional influencing
factors, ensure that projects are evaluated
accurately prior to the decision being
taken to progress to the next stage of design
and construction.
Project and risk management: Project management
and analysis of risk is a key element
of the services provided in all phases of EPCM
work. Experienced project management personnel
focus on developing an intimate understanding
of the client’s strategy, culture
and project needs from conception through to
completion.
Aluminium industry projects can range from
small-scale studies to multi-million dollar new
builds.
Construction management: EPCM organisations
must ensure that its construction management
services are naturally tailored to the
unique demands of both the client and project.
In all cases, construction health, safety and
environment are some of the key considerations
viewed to be of paramount importance.
Construction management teams are responsible
for ensuring that building work on
site is in accordance with the project specifications,
drawings and relevant standards indicated
by the integrated multi-discipline design
team. The main considerations here include
quality assurance, project site management
and project cost estimating, control and procurement
Once the EPCM gets the green light for
the proposed project, it is crucial that the
concluded work meets the stated objectives
and is delivered within the agreed cost and
time frame parameters. This requires robust
systems such as for value engineering and
analysis, cost estimating, reporting, management
and forecasting.
Multi-discipline engineering, detail design
and 3D modelling: Essentially, EPCM companies
work to add value to a client’s business,
through creative and innovative thinking in
engineering design. Integrated multi-discipline
engineering expertise across all related fields
is deployed to deliver an optimum solution,
based upon best practice and the very latest
project feedback available.
A range of recent EPCM projects in the
world aluminium sector reflect the huge scale
© Emal
42 ALUMINIUM · 9/2013