CCNZ / HIREPOOL CONSTRUCTION EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2015
No need to burn the midnight oil when United Civil is involved In 2012, New Zealand’s only oil refinery – Refining NZ – started a $365 million project to replace an aging semi-regeneration platformer. The project has come to be known as ‘The New Venture — Te Mahi Hou’.
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CATEGORY
PROJECT: The New Venture, Te Mahi Hou Project, Whangarei CONTRACTOR: United Civil Construction
44 Civil Contractors NZ in association with Contractor magazine
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ollowing a rigorous selection process, United Civil Construction was formally appointed in early 2013 as the civil works contractor on Te Mahi Hou. Since then, everything has been on track, on time and to budget. In the very broadest of terms Te Mahi Hou is a new processing plant being constructed in an area previously occupied by large product storage tanks. In engineering terms it’s the placement of 2750 cubic metres of concrete into one large mat foundation. It will see equipment manufactured in over a dozen countries around the globe and assembled and incorporated into works performed on site by New Zealand contractors. Once complete, the new works will be designated ‘E Block’ and will rise to a height of around 90 metres above grade, changing the landscape of the skyline at the entrance of the Whangarei Harbour. The project will enable Refining NZ to process not only more, but a wide range of crude oils more efficiently. Initially expected to be operational in late December 2015, workers have made excellent progress in recent months. It is now expected to complete early to mid-November. Refining NZ CEO Sjoerd Post says the credit for the expected early delivery rests with the project team continually
