Dipon successfully completed the pile testing job and delivery of RMC before time with entire satisfaction of BHEL. Thereafter, Dipon was awarded a repeat order for supply of 142,00 CUM RMC. One other Indian company, namely Simplex, was issued order for supply of RMC of 164,000 CUM only at the time of Dipon’s first RMC package. But as of now Simplex is struggling to reach 33% of its contracted amount. There was a big price hike of RMC raw material between submission of offer and issuance of the work order. Cement manufacturing companies of Bangladesh increased cement price owing to increase in its raw material price and ocean freight. Side by side the landing cost of the stone aggregates also increased owing to 7 increase in ocean freight. Thus, there was a remarkable gap between RMC
production cost and contract price to supply to BHEL. Both Dipon and Simplex suffered from severe cashflow crises. At some stages, BHEL started to bail out Simplex by procurement of cement, stone aggregates and other input materials for Simplex. However, Dipon did not take the bailout facility rather it managed the cash—flow crises and continued to RMC production and supply on BHEL’s commitment to reevaluate the RMC price due to price hike of its input material.
The Civil Works & Piling package is supposed to be completed on 14 August 2019, but so far Dipon achieved 110% progress. This package is continuing and BHEL intended to increase Dipon’s scope up to 137% of the said package as per the contract provision (+/— 30%), whereas another Indian vendor of similar package is completing its package at 100% achievement. Though working at an old day’s rate is not profit worthy, Dipon continues to work as per BHEL’s desire to develop good working relationship.
Dipon’s ingenuity, innovative ideas and never—say—die spirit triumphed against all odds. Its strength lies in its invaluable experience, the depth and variety of its own equipment fleet and its workforce comprising of highly skilled technicians, workers and engineers.
The versatility of its experience places Dipon ahead of competition. As a result, its client list has grown and includes an IOCs and foreign construction companies worked in Bangladesh as well as different public and private companies and entities at home.
For every company that aspires to be in business quality assurance and management is a mandatory requirement. Dipon dynamically maintains and stringently follows ISO 9001, 14001, 28001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications. HSE issues have also come to the fore of late. Nowadays most of the employers demand strict compliance of Health, Safety and Environment rules and regulations. Dipon has become well conversant with the HSE aspects of a project and can boast of work culture conforming to the needs. As a matter of fact, Dipon is the first company in Bangladesh to comply with the HSE requirement of Chevron.
Over the years Dipon has ushered in new technology and adopted novel methods to take forward the power and energy sector in Bangladesh scoring many firsts. As of today, Dipon completed over 180 prestigious projects in the power and energy sector in Bangladesh. The projects span over all phases of the gaseous hydrocarbon chain to construction of power plants, including transmission line, substation projects, gas field development, process plant installation, transmission & distribution pipeline, CSC/RMS/DRS, CNC station, LPG plant, chemical plant, and other installations.
When there was a blowout at Tengratilla gas field, Dipon were entrusted with the sensitive, dangerous and risky job of salvaging and mopping up. To its credit Dipon completed the works safely without any incident.
In the recent past Dipon was invited by the authority to complete LNG Pipeline Tie—In job which was a must to receive supply of regasified LNG from the FSRU of Excelerate Energy. Earlier the subsea pipeline contractor Geo—Ocean and its local subcontractors failed to complete the said tie—in job and Excelerate’s FSRU was waiting for months to offload the first shipment of LNG. Dipon completed the critical job ahead of its schedule.
Earlier Dipon completed the Bibiyana-Dhanua gas transmission pipeline, which is remarkable for the problems
and difficulties it posed during construction. Challenges faced were many-faceted. The route of the pipeline traverses through haor and bee| areas of Habiganj and Kishoreganj districts. The entire right of way (ROW) is part of flood plain inundated during the rainy season and remains underwater for the better part of the year. Water recedes from December and construction works can proceed till May. The brevity of the working season was just one of the problems. The condition of the ROW was the biggest challenge. When water receded, it became a virtual quagmire. The load-bearing capacity of the soil was extremely low and movement of heavy construction equipment and Concrete Weight Coated (CWC) line pipes (each weighing 13 M. Ton with an outside diameter of 43 inches) over the ROW was well nigh impossible. ROW preparation and maintenance became the top priority job. Over 20km of the pipeline route had to be treated and nursed to make it accessible.
In order to make the ROW fit for movement of equipment and line pipe carrying trolleys, topsoil had to be removed, wooden logs, tree branches and sacks of sand were used, and dry earth brought from outside was put on top. Naturally, this was a costly and timeconsuming exercise. Irrigation water also threatened the ROW. To keep this out and maintain dry ROW, berm was created on both sides. Vigilance was required to check over-eager farmers trying to breach the berm.
Overcoming the aforementioned daunting challenges, Dipon completed this project over two seasons. Dipon planned to finish in one season but unable to do so owing to constraints of line pipe supply from the employer 7 GTCL.
The flagship company 7 Dipon Gas Company Ltd. 7 was formed in 1970 that started as a venture engaged in installation of low-pressure small diameter gas distribution pipeline has grown over four decades to be at the forefront of the country’s energy infrastructure construction industry. Dipon is the oldest surviv—
ing pipeline construction company in Bangladesh. But it has not just survived, it has excelled and expanded outside home country. Now Dipon Group has diversified and expanded and has started other ventures dealing in variety of business fields.
The significant part of Dipon’s expansion is its footprints set up outside Bangladesh. Dipon has active presence in India, Malaysia, Singapore and UAE.
Mohiuddin Miah
Reporter, EP
