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Topaz Engineering's fabrication and construction unit, through its subsidiary Nico International Hydrospace, has been awarded a US$ 45M Gulf Petrochem EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) terminal contract in the UAE.

The contract covers phase 1 of a major petroleum storage terminal in close proximity to the Port of Fujairah. When completed, the terminal will have storage capacity of over 1.0 million cubic metres.

The facility, which is expected to take 17 months to complete, will feature dock pipeline connectivity to the Port of Fujairah, a pigging system for all dock pipelines, operational flexibility to handle Class A, B, C products in all tanks, a road tanker unloading and loading facility and will be built to NFPA standards, including all support systems such as OWS, ETP and compressor station.

Mott MacDonald has been appointed project management consultant and will oversee the entire development.

Gulf Petrochem was founded in 1998 through the vision of developing the potential of exporting petroleum based oils and lubricants to India, and it was established with the commissioning of a re-refinery in Sharjah's Hamriyah Free Zone.

Based in the UAE, Petrochem FZC is now one of the region's leading producers of petroleum products with operations including oil refining, multi product oil trading, grease manufacturing and leasing and storage tank facilities.

Topaz's ongoing investments in the Emirate of Fujairah reached a high with the 2009 commissioning of its 30,000 square meter Al Hayl fabrication facility. The industrial facility was custom built and equipped with state-of-the-art machinery to support the terminal business in Fujairah and has helped Topaz increase its market share in the local market.

Topaz Engineering Chief Operating Officer, Bill Bayliss commented on the contract, "This award once again reinforces Topaz's competitiveness in the local terminal market. We package international EPC experience, proven execution capabilities and a rigorous HSE focus to offer clients a comprehensive, safe and cost-effective engineering solution. I would like to express our sincere gratitude to our client, Gulf Petrochem, for the confidence in Topaz."

Topaz Fabrication and Construction, a strategic business unit of Topaz Engineering, operates out of facilities in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah and is engaged in significant project activities for both offshore and onshore oil and gas across the UAE and for global clients.