ATLAS Copco, a global leader in compressors, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems, has seen demand for its units surge in the booming Gulf state of Qatar.

Recently, two large companies took delivery of a number of its air compressors through its local distributor Oriental Trading Company (OTC).

The Qatar contractor Imperial Trading and Contracting Company (ITCC) recently acquired the largest Atlas Copco air compressor – an XATS 800 with a free air delivery of 782 cfm – boosting its fleet of Atlas Copco compressors to 10 units with, at least, a further 10 on rental from OTC for its projects.

The high-pressure XATS 800, delivered late last year, was purpose-ordered through OTC, for shot blasting and painting duties at ITCC’s fabrication yard in Qatar.

ITCC, established in 2004, has emerged as one of the most renowned general contracting companies in Qatar in recent years, growing into a multi-dimensional engineering contractor, providing complete solutions to the construction industry. The company is part of the Serco Group, which provides aluminium and steel fabrication services plus stainless steel pipes, making ITCC virtually a fully vertical Class A contractor. Founded by Abulla Khalif Monsoor Al Kabbi, who is now its chairman, ITCC employed just 24 people at the start. By 2006, it had grown to 1,500 and today employs 5,000 staff.

According to the company’s executive director, K Sasikumar, 2005 was the turning point for the company when it qualified for larger Class A projects. Since then, numerous projects including hi-rise towers, townships and industrial contracts have been completed. One such prestigious project was the nine-storey Sultan Plaza – a 35,000 sq m commercial tower, completed last year.

“Throughout the construction of this project, ITCC relied on its Atlas Copco portable air compressors for a variety of duties, including hand tools and air cleaning,” says Sasikumar.

Atlas Copco compressors were also used at the company’s Al Waab City showrooms project, which includes four-storey showrooms spread along an 800-m frontage. On either side, two existing showrooms in a ‘facelift’ application received new facades, identical to the project’s four new buildings.

Furthermore, at its Dar Al Salam project, a fleet of four Atlas Copco compressors, including an XA 136 on rental from OTC was used for jack hammers and air cleaning. Under Phase One of the project, ITCC constructed 151 three-storey villas, each covering 290 sq m in addition to 328 apartments on a 102,000 sq m site in the Doha suburb of Abu Harmour. Also included were an administration/security building, kindergarten, clubhouse, swimming pool and all infrastructure facilities.

Under Phase Two, on an adjacent site, ITCC has started work on what is described as Doha’s biggest shopping mall with three floors totalling 139,000 sq m and a mosque featuring a 46-m-high minaret and a 10-m diameter dome, once again relying on Atlas Copco compressors for air power.

 “Since 2004, we have always used Atlas Copco compressors recognising the performance and reliability, plus, the after-sales service we receive from OTC,” says Sasikumar.

Today, with up to 20 units in its fleet, including the latest XTS 800, ITCC’s fleet is regularly complemented by additional compressors from the OTC rental fleet.

“We feel we can rely on Atlas Copco compressors. With some of our units even being five years old, we have had no problems since we follow regular maintenance as recommended,” he says.

Dopet
Another Qatar-based company Doha Petroleum Construction Company (Dopet) has also taken delivery of two Atlas Copco XAMS 850 portable air compressors, for use in the repair, maintenance and build of pipelines, offshore rigs, tanks and pressure vessels including shot blasting and painting duties.

This latest order delivered by OTC is meeting demand for Dopet’s ‘shot blasting’ pipe elements for the crude oil pipeline from Ras Laffan to Messaieed. The current batch extends the company’s fleet to 15 units.

Established in 1982 in Doha’s industrial area, Dopet has witnessed extraordinary growth, including an increase in staff from the initial four to 1,200 today. Since its formation, the company has, according to its purchase controller, Varghese Mathew, relied on Atlas Copco compressors for its air supply in a wide variety of applications including sand blasting, painting and operating other air power tools.

According to Mathew, the Atlas Copco XAMS 850 is proving to be a popular model for ‘blasting’ activities.

“Its size also means it’s very easy to manoeuvre and it can fit into very tight areas where space is a premium, particularly if it is on rig duties,” he says. “Rated with an actual free air delivery of 847 cfm at 8.6 bar, the compressor provides an optimum air power output.”

A variety of garnet grain sizes are used for blasting duties including 2030, 2060 and 3060 depending on availability.
“But,” Mathew says, “we generally rely on 2060 to blast clean the surface until it is approved by the Dopet quality controller.”

Working with three shifts round-the-clock, the compressors are in constant demand with up to three blasting ‘guns/lances’ being used with the XAMS 850 and one with each of its XA 186s.

The compressors have been developed by Portable Air, a division within Atlas Copco’s compressor technique business which develops, manufactures and markets portable compressors, boosters and generators for prime or standby power worldwide. The divisional headquarters and main production centre are located in Antwerp, Belgium.