Baghdad: Uruk Engineering & Contracting concluded its participation in the 3^rd Qualitative Fair of Electricity, held under the patronage of the Minister of Electricity. Uruk, an Engineering, Procurement and Contracting (EPC) firm, highlighted it’s achievements in completing a number of major projects in Iraq; and managers at the firm held meetings with a number of government and business figures to explore the possibilities of establishing private projects in the electricity sector.   

Despite short term challenges in the country, Iraq’s power sector continues to attract attention from both multinational as well as local investors interested in working with the government to service a shortfall in electricity. The government lent its support to the organizers who showcased numerous areas within the industry, emphasizing the country’s need for electric power plants (steam, gas, hydro, combined cycle) and encouraging investment. Exhibitors included providers of air and gas insulated substations; cables from standard wires to fiber-optic; electrical power distribution network capabilities; and distribution substations.  

Uruk’s participation in this exhibition, held at the Baghdad Fairground from May 8 – 11, 2016, reflects the continued commitment of its management to Iraq’s energy needs. The firm’s role as a leader in the country’s most important infrastructure projects was highlighted in 2014 upon the completion of the Al Mansuriya power plant project, part of its work with the Iraqi ministry of Electricity; and it completed the 724 MW project, a joint venture with Alstom, in record time. Uruk was also the first EPC contractor to complete a Ministry of Electricity (MoE) Fast Track project, the Taji power plant. Uruk’s efforts over the past decade culminated with an impressive health and safety record of 6 million man-hours recorded without major incident on site in the company’s execution of projects at Taji, Qudus and Mansuriya. The firm was also awarded a Variation Order to evaluate the Mansuriya plant following disturbances in the area; and ensure its readiness to receive gas to go into operation.  

Uruk received an innovation award from the MoE in 2014 in recognition of the company’s competence and ability to execute complex power projects in the country. Uruk had also earned the first Final Acceptance Certificate any EPC contractor has received from any government since the establishment of Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity for its work on the Taji Power Plant Project. The FAC is only given when 5 criteria are met: Reliability Test Run (RTR) undertaken, Performance test of the generator set, “punch list” (a checklist of works to evaluate) completed, Preliminary Acceptance Certificate (PAC) issued, and finally the defect liability warranty period ending.

End.

Uruk Engineering & Contracting

Uruk is a fully Iraqi-owned company with offices in Baghdad and Dubai. The company offers turnkey solutions with single source responsibility for all its projects, employing the best local expertise while seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art technology, resources and best practices. Uruk has worked with several global players such as Bechtel International, GE, and ABB and served several Iraqi ministries.

The exhibition also provided the firm with a platform to explore its expansion into related fields. “We have a strong financial position and technical expertise,” said Dr. Alaa Hussein who leads engineering; “and this has allowed us to consider entering projects such as the processing of flared gas or developing gas fields in consortium with international oil and gas firms working in Iraq.” He continued: “The exhibition gave us an opportunity to meet with potential partners and vendors in one location.”

Organizers state several thousand visitors came to the show, which received the support of H.E. Sabah Hassan Al Bazouni, President Basra Provincial Council; H.E. Majid Al-Nasrawi, Governor of Basraas; and Ali Shadad Al Faris, Chairman Oil and Gas Committee.

Uruk believes participation as well as speaking in such events is an important part of helping rebuild the Iraqi economy. The company’s directors have been featured guests at conferences organized by MEED and CWC in geographies as far afield as Amman, London, and Dubai, as well as Basra and Baghdad.

Uruk recently completed construction of the Mansuriya Power Plant; and it is ready to receive gas for commissioning. Managers from the firm were on hand in Basra to discuss details of one of the country’s largest power plant projects in recent years, with a capacity of 724 MW for phase 1.

End.

Uruk Engineering & Contracting

Uruk is a fully Iraqi-owned Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Company with offices in Baghdad and Dubai. The company offers turnkey solutions with single source responsibility for all its projects, employing the best local expertise while seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art technology, resources and best practices. Uruk has worked with several global players such as Bechtel International, GE, and ABB and served several Iraqi ministries.

Dubai: Dr Jafar D Jafar, Chief Executive Officer of Uruk Engineering and Contracting, has accepted an invitation to join the Society for Petroleum Engineers’ steering committee preparing for the SPE Symposium: “Iraq—The Petroleum Potentiality and Future of Energy,” to be held in Amman, Jordan on the 9^th and 10^th of March, 2016.

The electricity shortages Iraq has faced in recent years continue to pose a challenge for both the public and private sectors. Existing power plants in particular often do not receive sufficient fuel supplies to operate at full capacity; and gas fields slated for exploration frequently stand idle. The government continues to seek solutions; and in doing so has reached out to local and multinational organizations.

The symposium the Society of Petroleum Engineers has organized will provide experts in the field a forum to share and exchange technical knowledge. Participants include senior officials from educational institutions and think tanks such as the University of Technology, the American University of Sharjah, the Ministry of Oil, as well as several multinational corporations from Russia, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Europe and North America.

Dr. Jafar is uniquely placed to add significant value to the symposium given his decades of service to the Iraqi people while in government and subsequently as head of one of Iraq’s largest Engineering, Procurement and Contracting (EPC) companies. He has extensive experience in the power generation field, having led Iraq’s electricity reconstruction efforts from 1991 to 1999 as well as serving as Chairman of the Iraqi National Committee for Technology Transfer from 1996 to 2003. Dr. Jafar is a staunch supporter of education and an accomplished author, penning and co-authoring numerous authoritative research papers in the area of energy and related industries.

The SPE steering committee performs a number of tasks including to: Plan and execute the technical program; select keynote speakers, facilitators, and discussion leaders; secure written, reproducible copies of presentation materials; moderate all sessions, including any break-out sessions; prevent commercialism in presentations and discussions; and promote the workshop among industry peers.

Workshops held during the event will focus on current best practices; and they are governed by the SPE Board of Directors under the SPE Meetings Policy. They are monitored by the Technical Programming and Meetings Sub-Committee of the Board.

End.

Uruk Engineering & Contracting

Uruk is a fully integrated Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) company specialized in the Iraqi energy sector. It is an Iraqi-owned company established in 2003 and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates with offices in Baghdad and Dubai. The company is led by prominent Iraqi engineers and scientists whose collective experience spans decades in areas including oil, gas, nuclear power, electricity, water and waste management.

Uruk finished its first major project less than 2 years after its formation; and it completed the nation’s first Fast Track project in 2012. The Ministry of Electricity subsequently awarded Uruk the Mansuriya Power Plant Project in an internal joint venture with Alstom. Uruk fulfilled the construction and logistics portion of the project in record time, one year after commencement, with a multinational workforce. Uruk has worked with several global players such as Bechtel International, GE, and ABB and served several Iraqi ministries.

Baghdad: Uruk Engineering & Contracting concluded its participation in the 2^nd Qualitative Fair of Electricity on a high note, with the Ministry of Electricity (MoE) and exhibition organizers presenting the Engineering, Procurement and Contracting (EPC) firm with an award for innovation and excellence in the field of power generation, as well as a certificate of appreciation for event participation.

Iraq’s power sector continues to attract attention from both multinational as well as local investors interested in working with the government to service a shortfall in electricity. Several high ranking officials explored possible areas of cooperation with Uruk’s management at the event. These included H.E. Qasim AlFahdawi, Minister of Electricity, as well as his deputies and assigned directors-general for investment and related matters. The minister emphasized the ministry’s strategy of encouraging private sector investment in the power generation and distribution sectors on a for-profit basis.

The organizers showcased numerous areas within the industry, highlighting the country’s need for electric power plants (steam, gas, hydro, combined cycle) and encouraging investment. Exhibitors included providers of secondary substations 400 kV, 132 kV type (AIS, GIS ); lines and electric power transmission cables (wires, electric wire, thermal, ground cables, fiber-optic technology uses); electrical power distribution network capabilities; and distribution substations (trunking, smart energy standards, protection devices, cables, distribution transformers, street lighting using economic bulbs, load control systems of electric power).

Uruk’s participation in this exhibition reflects the continued commitment of its management to Iraq’s reconstruction. The firm’s role as a leader in the country’s most important energy projects was highlighted in 2014 upon the completion of the Al Mansuriya power plant project, part of its work with the Iraqi ministry of Electricity to rebuild the country’s infrastructure. Uruk was the first EPC contractor to complete a Ministry of Electricity (MoE) Fast Track project, the Taji power plant; and it completed the Mansuriya 724 MW project, a joint venture with Alstom, in record time. Uruk’s efforts over the past decade culminated with an impressive health and safety record of 6 million man-hours recorded without major incident on site in the company’s execution of projects at Taji, Qudus and Mansuriya.

The innovation award is not the first time the MoE recognized Uruk’s efforts. The minister and his deputies have characterized the firm as one of the few with the competence and capability to execute complex power projects in the country. In fact, Uruk recently earned the first Final Acceptance Certificate any EPC contractor has received from any government in 25 years for its work on the Taji Power Plant Project. The FAC is only given when 5 criteria are met: Reliability Test Run (RTR) undertaken, Performance test of the generator set, “punch list” (a checklist of works to evaluate) completed, Preliminary Acceptance Certificate (PAC) issued, and finally the defect liability warranty period ending.

End.

Uruk Engineering & Contracting

Uruk is a fully Iraqi-owned company with offices in Baghdad and Dubai. The company offers turnkey solutions with single source responsibility for all its projects, employing the best local expertise while seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art technology, resources and best practices. Uruk has worked with several global players such as Bechtel International, GE, and ABB and served several Iraqi ministries.

Uruk has been at the forefront of rebuilding Iraq’s energy sector, focusing on power plant rehabilitation and construction. It’s participation in the Missan exhibition is part of the firm’s strategy to engage with government officials and the private sector and work towards identifying solutions for the nation’s energy needs. 

Uruk considered the “Missan — the land of Energy and Gold” exhibition an ideal platform to achieve its goals as it highlighted both investment and development. The provincial government of Missan is one of the most successful in delivering public services, a fact globally reported including in a 2013 New York Times report. 

Uruk’s commitment to Iraq over the past seven years as a leader in the country’s most important energy projects was highlighted in 2014 upon the completion of its most recent power plant project in Al Mansuriya, as part of it three contract partnership with the Iraqi ministry of Electricity to rebuild the country’s infrastructure.  Uruk was the first EPC contractor to complete a Ministry of Electricity (MoE) Fast Track project; and it completed the 724 MW project in record time. The firm’s efforts culminated with an impressive EHS record of 6 million man-hours recorded without major incident on site in the company’s execution of projects at Taji, Qudus and Mansuriya.

End.

Uruk Engineering & Contracting

Uruk is a fully Iraqi-owned company with offices in Baghdad and Dubai. The company offers turnkey solutions with single source responsibility for all its projects, employing the best local expertise while seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art technology, resources and best practices. Uruk has worked with several global players such as Bechtel International, GE, and ABB and served several Iraqi ministries.  

Dr. Jafar co-founded the Uruk Project Development Company in Dubai during 2003. He has extensive experience in the power generation field, having led Iraq’s electricity reconstruction efforts from 1991 to 1999 as well as serving as Chairman of the Iraqi National Committee for Technology Transfer from 1996 to 2003. Dr. Jafar is a staunch supporter of education and an accomplished author, penning and co-authoring numerous authoritative research papers in the area of energy and related industries. Dr. Jafar earned his PhD in physics from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

Uruk’s CEO highlighted the short-fall in fuel availability, particularly gas, currently impacting Iraq’s power generation capacity. He noted that the current gas fuel shortage has decreased Iraq’s power availability on the national grid by at least 3000 MW. Major Power plants such as Nainawa (6×125 MW), Al-Mansurya (4×182 MW) and Rumaila (5×290 MW) are idle because of lack of fuel. The irony is that Iraq is currently flaring more than 900 million standard cubic feet per day of associated gas in the South whereas major power plants are shut down because of lack of gas. Peak power supplied from Iraq’s national grid has exceeded 12,000 MW and electricity peak demand is estimated at 16,000 MW. Therefore, these currently idle power plants would go a long way towards reducing black outs during the long Summer months.

Dr. Jafar also noted that gas as a fuel for power generation is the best choice when compared with liquid fuel options such as light distillate or diesel, crude oil or heavy fuel oil (HFO). Gas is best from the environmental view point and from every other standpoint. For example, power plants operating on gas require the least maintenance and provide the highest availability when compared with power plants operating on liquid fuels.

Ensuring Iraq’s long- term electricity security will require a number of bold and aggressive steps to be taken not only by the government; but also by the international oil companies (IOCs) that have development contracts in the country. The power industry expert’s recommendations include converting most existing gas turbine (GT) open cycle power plants to combined cycle, a move that will increase fuel utilization efficiency by up to 50%; and such a move could add more than 4000 MW to the national grid at no extra fuel cost to the nation.

In the short term, the former Chairman of the Iraqi National Committee for Technology encouraged the Ministry of Oil to follow up aggressively with IOCs to treat and pipe natural gas from natural gas fields, such Mansurya and Akkaz, urgently.

Operational improvements are also required within Iraq in order to reduce electricity transmission and distribution losses, which currently stand at around 28%. These losses should be reduced to not more than 10%. The planned introduction of smart energy consumption metering should contribute to a substantial reduction in these losses. Moreover, increasing the electricity tariff from the current average of 1.7 USD cents per kWh to circa 4 USD cents per kWh should balance supply/demand even at current supply levels.

Despite the frenetic political situation in Iraq, Dr. Jafar advised those responsible for providing fuel and electricity to expedite anti-corruption measures and facilitate the provision of gas to idle power plants as a national priority.

Dr. Jafar spoke during a session entitled “Fostering Market Trends in Iraq’s Power Generation Projects”. Professor Dr. Friedbert Pflüger, Director of the European Centre for Energy & Resource Security chaired the session.

End.

The event brought together prominent members of the oil and gas as well as power sectors, including government officials, NGOs and the private sector.

Dr. Jafar underscored the fact that Iraq’s power sector has a number of critical challenges that require careful attention. First is the actual supply of fuel, particularly natural gas, once a power plant is on line. Second, ensuring plans and people are in place to not only operate but properly maintain the facilities. And finally, identifying an appropriate strategy for increasing the electricity tariff to cover costs; and having a mechanism in place to ensure the efficient collection of dues.

When asked about feedstock for power generation, Dr. Jafar noted: “Associated gas, when collected, processed and injected into pipelines could provide up to 1000 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) which should be sufficient to power approximately 4,500 megawatts in open cycle power plants. Currently, only North Gas provides about 300 mmscfd.”

Uruk’s participation in the event, held in Jordan from May 18 – 20, 2014 at the Le Meridien Amman, reflects the firms commitment to Iraq’s reconstruction. The company has made long-term asset and corporate infrastructure investments; and invested heavily in people and equipment.

Uruk stayed true to its mission less than two years after being awarded the project. It is the first Iraqi-managed firm to bring a power plant online since the program was announced. The company’s leadership took an active role in helping move the project forward by empowering staff to take decisions quickly.

“We believe in our people and in their ability to get the job done,” said Khaled Jamil, a senior director in the company. “Electricity is a basic need today; and our staff should be able to make decisions in a timely manner so we can meet our obligations to the government and to the Iraqi people.”

The 600-strong team of Iraqi nationals, several of whom came to work on the project from across the globe, built the plant on an area of 50, 000 square meters, a unique feat given that utilities projects often require a at least twice this size.

“The plant is a marvellous achievement not only because of the short time it took to deliver, but also because of the advanced technologies we used to ensure the Iraqi power grid is as good as any you will find abroad,” said Yahyia N. Nsayef, Director-General Uruk Iraq. “One example is the D.C.S., the central nervous system of the plant. It allows complete control and monitoring of the plant from one room. Taji is the first to include this system; and all future projects will adopt the same approach.”

Raed Muhammad Saleh, Taji’s Project Manager for Uruk, added that the plant’s completion is a model for similar endeavors in the future; and that it is a source of pride for the Ministry of Electricity, all participants in the project and for the Iraqi people as a whole.

The Taji plant will provide electricity for up to 50,000 homes; and it is just the first in a series of initiatives the government has undertaken to improve the utilities infrastructure in the country. The Minister of Electricity, the deputy minister and other government departments ensured
that typically lengthy procedures were eased such as customs clearance and visa issuance.

The contract had covered the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) works at the dual fuel plant – capable of running on light, distilled oil or natural gas – which uses 4xFrame6B Gas Turbine-Generators (GTGs) that the MoE procured from General Electric (GE).

Dr.Sabah Al-Obaidi, Training & Development Manager at the General Directorate for Gas Power Plants Projects, note the achievement was “absolutely marvellous”and a “splendid, outstanding” step forward. He noted that the anticipated completion of the project would be a beacon on the Ministry of Electricity’s path of innovation in the energy sector.
Electrical works at the Taji Power Plant began in August 2011; and the construction phase of the project began in November 2010.

Uruk Engineering & Contracting
Uruk is a fully Iraqi-owned company with offices in Baghdad and Dubai. The company offers turnkey solutions with single source responsibility for all its projects, employing the best local expertise while seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art technology, resources and best practices. Uruk has worked with several global players such as Bechtel International, GE, and ABB and served several Iraqi ministries.

The design stage of the project has reached 97% completion, while remaining activities such as roads and the sewerage system, do not affect the plant’s operation. Pulling and terminated power and control cables are in progress following the start of electrical works; and cold loop checks will begin later.

This tender covers the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) works at the power plant which is comprised of 4x6B Gas Turbo-Generators (GTGs) that the MOE procured from the General Electric Company (GE). These were delivered to site during 2009 before the start date of the EPC contract. Uruk, the EPC contractor will source the remaining Balance of Plant (BOP) equipment and shall install and commission the overall plant including the four GTGs.

The construction phase of the project began in November 2010. A number of elements have already reached 100% completion for the 4 GTGs, including centreline unit civil works, stack foundations and the auxiliaries’ foundations.
Electro-mechanical works for the power block area usually begin in parallel with the civil activities, technically setting all units supplied by GE on foundation , aligned and bolted are 100% completed, and reached in average 91% completion. Remaining activities are mainly piping works and flushing.

Other elements of the project are still in progress, such as calibration of unit’s instruments and mechanical pre-commissioning of the skids. Overall, the progress for the GTG island , civil, mechanical and electrical works have reached 75% completion.

Uruk Engineering & Contracting

Uruk is a fully Iraqi-owned company with offices in Baghdad and Dubai. The company offers turnkey solutions with single source responsibility for all its projects, employing the best local expertise while seamlessly integrating
state-of-the-art technology, resources and best practices. Uruk has worked with several global players such as Bechtel International, GE, and ABB and served several Iraqi ministries.