XL Global Group, the Aberdeen-based technology and engineering conglomerate, was recently working with Fabri Consulting Engineers – an established engineering consultancy supporting the oil & gas industry with downstream engineering services – to build a containerized gas oil marker additive unit for its client.

The project utilised specialist services of the wider XL Global Group, including those of AMC XL, Access XL and Automation XL, to provide support for the final design, manufacture and supply of the system and involved the provision of specialist flow control solutions, fabrication services, electrical and process control services via a single ‘turn-key’ source.

Critical to the final design was the ability of the system to interface with the end client’s existing loading and blending multiload control system while ensuring adherence with the client’s design specification and industry standards.

XL Global Group and Fabri Consulting Engineers worked together throughout the process to ensure compliance with the required design specification and applicable standards (DNV certified containerized solution / Zone 1 Hazardous Area operation). This solution comprised a secure access profile, gas oil marker tank & bund (BS EN 12285-2 Class A), inspection hatches, pipework, valves, pumps, instrumentation, safety systems, junction boxes and electrical consumables.

The project was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which offered some additional challenges due to lead time issues and the requirement to adapt to the restricted working practices, adopting alternative solutions wherever possible including virtual meetings, project updates and testing.

Throughout the process, the various divisions within XL Group worked closely with Fabri Consulting Engineers to control and confirm the evolution of the design. All design adaptations and formal ‘Technical Queries’ were agreed with the client, through XL Group scheduled project meetings, adapting as required to modifications against the original scope and latterly agreeing responsibility and requirements for the electrical interface directly with the end client.

A full Inspection and Test Plan was agreed and completed to the end client’s satisfaction, including Factory acceptance test (FAT), installation, and Site Acceptance test (SAT).

This project demonstrates XL Global Group’s ability to draw upon the skills and abilities of its divisions and personnel to deliver turn-key engineering solutions to its clients. Upon completion of works, Fabri Consulting Engineers Project Manager Michael Cummings, said:

“XL Group has proved to be a professional organisation, able to deliver a good quality & cost-effective solution that complies with specification and required industry / client standards.”.