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Achieving milestones: A glimpse into the Erawin project
With some of the largest oil reserves in Africa, Libya is positioning itself to become a major oil and gas producer. Petrofac, leveraging over 20 years of experience in North Africa, is supporting Zallaf Libya Oil & Gas Exploration and Production Company to help develop critical infrastructure, ensure safe and secure operations, and boost production capacity at the Erawin oil field.
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Client
Zallaf Libya Oil & Gas Exploration and Production Company
Scope
Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commissioning (EPCC)
In 2021, Petrofac was awarded a US$100 million contract to engineer, procure, construct, and commission surface facilities at the Erawin oil field, in the country's southwest. The scope includes well pads, flowlines, and a pipeline to transport crude oil approximately 100 kilometers to the El Sharara oil field. Additionally, Petrofac is responsible for constructing a control room, substation, and telecom system at El Sharara.
This project is testament to our team’s resilience, navigating the challenges of a fast-track project in a new country. By prioritising safety, fostering local talent, and overcoming complex site challenges, the team has delivered remarkable results, setting a new standard for project execution in Libya.
A milestone in safety excellence
At the heart of Petrofac's operations in Libya, the Erawin project has set a new benchmark for health and safety by achieving two million safe workhours without a single Lost Time Injury. This significant milestone highlights Petrofac's steadfast commitment to safety, and the reporting culture at site placed the project among the top three in the Group's global ranking of safety observations, demonstrating the team’s commitment to transparency and learning.
Operating in a challenging desert environment, the project team worked relentlessly to uphold high safety standards. At the core of the project’s safety culture was a robust training matrix guided by the site’s Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) plan. With 98% of all required training successfully applied across personnel and subcontractors, the team built a strong foundation for safe operations.
With real drill exercises and early mobilisation of HSE resources, proactive measures were put in place to ensure the well-being of the team. These HSE initiatives extended beyond the workforce, as regular hygiene inspections and active participation in local community initiatives were a priority, further demonstrating our dedication to safeguarding people and the communities around us.
In addition, mass toolbox talks (TBTs) were held regularly, gathering all site personnel to reflect on safety moments based on real incidents from Petrofac sites around the world. These sessions were a powerful reminder that safety is everyone’s responsibility and that the lessons learned globally can be applied locally.
A team united around safety
Safety at Erawin was not left to chance. Alongside the subcontractor assigned safety supervisors, the Petrofac HSE team conducted frequent site visits and practiced peer safety supervision. A HSE supervision competition was also initiated to encourage both Petrofac and subcontractor HSE supervisors to identify on the spot hazards, discuss associated risk assessments, and collectively decide the safest way forward for ongoing tasks. This collaborative approach fostered accountability, consistency, and a stronger safety mindset across all on site teams.
Importantly, the team succeeded in building a positive and effective safety culture in an environment where many subcontractors were not initially familiar with international safety standards. Through ongoing support, education, and daily reinforcement, these standards were embraced and implemented across the site.
Empowering local communities
Beyond its safety achievements, the Erawin project shines as a model of community engagement and localisation. The project made significant strides in its commitment to engage local workforces, with 60% of the construction team comprising Libyan nationals, and 100% of the subcontractors sourced locally. This approach fosters sustainable growth in the region.
The project prioritised on-the-job training for local nationals, with 50% of the construction management team consisting of Libyan professionals. This focus on knowledge transfer and skills development has been essential to the project’s success, ensuring that the local workforce is well-equipped to contribute to future projects. Through consistent engagement with local stakeholders, the team has tailored their approach to align with community needs while meeting its operational goals.
Innovating through challenges
The Erawin project faced its share of unique challenges, from logistical constraints to security restrictions. Throughout the journey, the team overcame:
However, the project team demonstrated innovation and resilience at every turn. To address these hurdles, newly recruited local personnel were sent for training in Algeria, while a stand-alone residential area was constructed on-site to maintain operational efficiency in a secure environment.
Deep community involvement was a cornerstone of the project’s approach, with local businesses and resources being prioritised from the outset. This strategy not only bolstered the local economy but also strengthened our relationship with the community, contributing to its overall success.