A UK based company Penspen has been awarded a 10 month engineering contract from national oil company Petrozim Line Ltd to deliver a next-generation engineering project for the Feruka-Harare pipeline in Zimbabwe.  

Designed to enhance operational efficiency, the contract will see Penspen support to Petrozim on their mission to achieve maximal capacity to meet increasing petroleum products demand. 

“This contract award is a testament to Penspen’s strong reputation and experience in Africa and we look forward to working with Petrozim on this exciting project.

“Penspen’s scope of work included in the project award demonstrates our range of capabilities in the region and beyond, as a leading provider of engineering services to the energy industry,” said Neale Carter, Penspen Executive Vice President for the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific Regions.

Originally designed by Penspen and constructed under its supervision, the 208km long Feruka-Harare pipeline network will undergo operational modifications to ensure its transfer ability to meet the increased demand of petroleum products such as diesel and gasoline. Penspen will deliver detailed engineering and procurement support services for the multi-product pipeline project, including the establishment of a ‘series pumping’ operation as well as a range of key project components at different sites across the region.  

The exercise includes two new mainline pump-sets (pump, motor and variable speed drive packages), piping modifications for the connection of new mainline pump-sets and two new power transformers to supply the new mainline pump-sets. Additionally, Penspen will oversee piping, instrumentation and metering skid modifications as part of the project. Electrical switchgear, transformers, switchboard, distribution board and a stand-by diesel generator with weatherproof enclosure and diesel tank will also be supplied as part of the contract award. 

Penspen has been providing engineering service support to Petrozim for over 20 years and in 2012 completed the FEED, which increased the capacity of the pipeline and the Harare storage facility. 

Oil Discovery ad Production in Zimbabwe

Australian listed oil and gas exploration company Invictus has planned to begin drilling Zimbabwe’s first oil and gas wells in the Muzarabani prospect in October this year.

The project will cost approximately $15 million, with $3.5 million already invested towards the preliminary work and processing of secondary data to date. Petroleum giant ExxonMobil had previously conducted studies in the area and the studies showed encouraging results and potential for the possible existence of oil and gas in the area.

“We have since been advised by Invictus that the findings are positive and point to oil and gas deposits in the area,” Mr Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe President, said.

“The result as communicated by Invictus is an exciting development for our country.”

Mines Minister Winston Chitando said.

Zimbabwe is experiencing its worst economic crisis in a decade.Fuel shortages are a frequent problem and there are many power cuts.The mineral-rich country currently has no oil or gas production.