North Refineries Company (NRC), an Iraqi Ministry of Oil company that refines crude oil to produce various oil products and lubricants, has recently added to their existing Tadano fleet with the three new Tadano GR-300EX-3 model cranes.
They were purchased from Tadano through Sardar Automobile and Machinery Trading Co. Ltd (SAM), with delivery taken in September.
“They arrived just in the time we needed them,” said Sudad Ibrahim Majeed, Senior Chief Engineer of NRC. “SAM was very helpful during all processes of delivery. The process was clearly communicated, and the advance and handover training were excellent.”
The new GR-300EX models handle a variety of general maintenance activities involving welding, lifting pipes, lifting damaged equipment, and handling and lifting tanks, heat exchangers, and valves inside the refinery.
“We are using the cranes on a daily basis as we have heavy loads to lift, fix, and lower back,” added Majeed, noting that while the cranes have lift capacity limits beyond all refinery requirements, they follow the lifting tables closely, and use safety factors to minimize risks and allow for efficient operation.
Other Tadano cranes in NRC’s current fleet include four GT-600EL units, two GT-300EL units, and one GT-750EL unit – all accessible within 10 minutes from any site location at NRC. Despite temperatures that often exceed 40-45°C, the cranes operate in all weather conditions except for high winds or heavy rains.
Located in Saladin Governorate in northern Iraq, roughly 210 kilometers from Baghdad, NRC was established there in 1978. Thanks to improved stability in Iraq, which enables NRC to process 310,000 barrels of oil every day, Iraq is destined for growth.