30 July 2008
Lifted to its final position, setting up the 7th and last part of the Derrick Flare marks the timely completion of the flare steel structure on Monday, 21st July 2008. The successful two-hour operation included the lifting of 92.7 tons of steel structure to the height of 115m and the delicate process of positioning it on top of the 6th module.

This milestone marks the completion of 80% of the Derrick Flare construction works and the erection of the highest structure in the Balhaf LNG plant, which stands at a total height of 130m, including the tip of the flare. At that height, the Derrick Flare will be one of the highest flares in an LNG liquefaction plant worldwide. From a safety perspective, the height helps maximise safety of the people and equipment around it.

The Derrick Flare was prefabricated in Italy and assembled and bolted onsite where all modules were erected one by one on top of each other by Punj Lloyd, the contractor company for the utilities and Flare mechanical & electrical instrument works.

The successful completion of the assembly and bolting works of the flare structure which started mid March 2008, is a result of a combination of many factors including the good cooperation between the Yemen LNG, YemGas & Punj Lloyd teams. The next stage will be the erection of the flare four risers (gas pipes that extend vertically and are attached to the flare structure) from the bottom to the top of the structure by using a dedicated winch system.

Although the Yemen LNG liquefaction plant in Balhaf is designed in accordance with a non-flaring policy, it will have two different flares: the Derrick Flare and the Marine Flare. The two flares will not be used for regular flaring but will function as the main safety devices for protection in cases of emergency. The Derrick Flare will be used in cases of shutdown to depressurize the gas, whereas the Marine Flare will be used to ensure safety and protection during the loading of LNG tankers to flare the boil-off gas if necessary.