Qatar, despite the global slowdown, is currently enjoying the ‘pick up’ in the Gulf Kingdom’s economy, helped not least by the increased production in the gas industry and Government related projects; particularly for its rental fleets.
“Whilst Qatar has certainly experienced a slow down with some severe cutbacks, we have not been as affected as some of our neighbouring Gulf States,” said Rajagopalan, the rental fleet manager for OTC Rental. “We are beginning to see a slow return with a significant swing towards renting” he added.
The reason for this swing is, according to Rajagopalan, due to contractors finishing current projects and, with many projects on hold, they are continuing to reduce their risk and rent. A trend which, he suggests is likely to continue in the future – even when confidence in the market returns.
Oriental Trading was appointed as Atlas Copco’s distributor for Qatar in 1957 when the company was formed. By 2002, with the dealership well established, OTC recognised the market potential for a rental company to cater for the booming construction industry and ‘shot blasting’ applications in the petroleum and gas fabrication yards.
Starting with a fleet of just five XA186 compressors, the OTC Rental fleet today comprises almost 300 units – 175 compressors and, since 2004, fifty generator sets; making it one of the largest compressor fleets in the region.
The compressor fleet is made up of five models ranging from 190 cfm – 850 cfm and was recently expanded with an order for 50 compressors and 20 gensets.
The fleet also includes up to 30 oil-free compressors from Atlas Copco Specialty Rental for the Kingdom for the specialised needs of the oil and gas industries.
“Within the rental fleet, we have not replaced a single unit as a direct result of carrying out essential regular maintenance to meet the local conditions – high ambient temperatures plus very hard and abrasive, dusty ground conditions,” said Rajagopalan.
He added, “As the dealer we have direct access to parts replacements. Instead of selling the older units on to the used equipment market for the equivalent of a months rent, we prefer, with regular maintenance and parts replacements, to achieve a further 12 months rental.”
“Also in key sectors, such as shot blasting and painting, we can react immediately for the customer if a problem should arise – supplying a new replacement straight away.”
Current projects underway and relying on compressors from the OTC Rental fleet include: two XAS 186 compressors for the ‘bottom out’ of two 38m deep shafts on Doha North Sewage Treatment Station for the Vinci Construction Grand Projects, QDVC and Entrepose Contracting Joint Venture: and ITCC’s Darl Salam project incorporating 151 villas and 328 apartments plus Doha’s largest shopping mall and a mosque.
Record ‘bottom-out’ for Doha Pumping Station Shafts
Two XAS 186 compressors from the OTC Rental fleet in Doha, Qatar are being used for jackhammer power and air cleaning duties on two 38m deep shafts.
Forming part of Doha North Sewage Treatment pumping station, both shafts were excavated in the extremely hard limestone and coral ground conditions by continuous hammer techniques. Achieving ‘bottom-out’ at 38 m depth, makes the project Qatar’s deepest sewage pumping station.
Main contractor for the project is the Vinci Construction Grand Projects, QDVC and Entrepose Contracting Joint Venture.