Nexans nets major cable contract for Brazil petrochemical complex
14 Apr 2011
Paris – Nexans has won a ’multi-million Euros’ turnkey contract at the new COMPERJ petrochemical complex currently under construction in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The contract was awarded Toshiba Sistemas de Trasmissão e Distribuição do Brazil Ltda.
Nexens is to supply and install high voltage (HV) XLPE cables and accessories that will be used to interconnect the two main electrical substations at the COMPERJ complex. The Petrobras facility is expected to come on line in 2013 and will be capable of processing 165,000 barrels of heavy crude oil per day.
The main substations at COMPERJ are separated by a distance of around 3.25 km and the Nexans cables will provide a high voltage interconnection with two circuits.
Nexans is supplying a complete turnkey solution including a total of 19.5 km of 345kV XLPE-insulated cables with termination, premoulded joints, an earthing system and corresponding installation services.
The Nexans XLPE cable for COMPERJ features a smooth aluminium sheath (SAS) manufactured from aluminium laminate laser-welded longitudinally directly over the cable insulation. This design ensures a 100% water-tight cable that is also more robust and lighter compared to lead or copper wire sheathing.
For the project, cables will be carried by pipe racks mounted around 20 metres above the ground – rather than being installed underground.
Given the long lengths of cable being supplied, this method of installation will call for Nexans’ specific expertise and specialized cable-pulling machinery to ensure that the cables are pulled into position with the careful handling essential to avoid excessive and potentially damaging stresses.
Installation of the cables is expected to be complete by 2012. The cables will be manufactured at Nexans plant based in Charleroi, Belgium and the accessories will be provided by the Nexans facility located in Cossonay, Switzerland.
