Dipon Gas Co. Ltd. has achieved a new milestone. Its achievement marked completion of the longest section (41.5 km) of the largest ever gas transmission pipeline in Bangladesh under the biggest contract from GTCL (Bibiyana–Dhanua 36 in dia X 136 km X 1000psig). By doing so, Dipon has underlined its capabilities once again. Story of this company, formed in 1970 and incorporated in 1977, is intricately connected with the history of Bangladesh’s energy sector. Coming into being a year apart, Dipon has grown from strength to strength thanks to the opportunities unveiled by the emergence of Bangladesh.
What started as a venture engaged in low-pressure small diameter pipeline installation has grown over four decades to be at the forefront of the country’s energy infrastructure construction industry. Dipon is the oldest surviving pipeline construction company in Bangladesh at present. But it has not just survived, it has excelled.
The Bibiyana-Dhanua gas transmission pipeline is remarkable for the problems and difficulties it went through during construction. The route of the pipeline traverses through haor and beel (marshy land) areas of Habiganj and Kishoreganj districts. Almost the entire ROW is part of flood plain inundated during the rainy season and remains under water for the better part of the year. Water recedes from December and construction works could 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 20-km of the pipeline route had to be treated and nursed to make it accessible.
To make the ROW fit for movement of equipment and line pipe carrying trolleys, top soil 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 time consuming 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. Our plan to finish in one season could not be done due to constraints of line pipe supply from the employer.
Dipon’s creativity, innovative ideas and never-say-die spirit triumphed against all odds. Our strength lies in our invaluable experience, the depth and variety of our own equipment fleet and our work force composed of highly skilled technicians, workers and engineers.
Over the years Dipon has ushered in new technology and adopted novel methods to take forward the pipeline industry in Bangladesh, scoring many firsts some of which are listed below:
So far Dipon has undertaken and completed diversified projects in energy and power sector. The projects span over all phases of the gaseous hydrocarbon chain. Gas field development, Process Plant installation, Transmission & Distribution Line construction and City Gate & other station installations have been our area of activities. When there was a blowout at Tengratilla field, we were entrusted with the sensitive, dangerous and risky job of salvaging and mopping up. To our credit, we completed the works safely without any incident.
The versatility of our experience places Dipon ahead of competition. As a result our client list has grown and includes all IOCs who have 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 & Management is a mandatory requirement. Dipon is an ISO 9000 certified company and maintains and stringently follows the quality manual.
HSE issues have also come to the fore of late. The IOCs 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.
Although Dipon Gas Co. Ltd. remains the flagship company of Dipon Group, the group has diversified and expanded, and has started other ventures dealing in variety of business fields, both at home and abroad, including but not limited to:
a) EPC Projects in Power, Gas & Industrial Sector;
b) Civil, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering;
c) Infrastructure Development Projects;
d) Pioneering CNG Driven Transportation Project in Bangladesh;
e) Mobile Telecommunication Solution;
f) Business Process Outsourcing; and
g) Information Technology Enabled Services.
The significant part of Dipon’s expansion is its footprints set up outside Bangladesh. Dipon maintains presence in Singapore, Malaysia, UAE and India. Following is a list of Dipon Group Companies with their respective jurisdictions:
1. Dipon Gas Co. Ltd. – Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. EPC Contractor in Oil, Gas & Pipeline Sectors, with specialization in construction of high-pressure cross-country gas pipeline. This is our flagship company.
2. Dipon Infrastructure Service Ltd. – Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Engineering & Construction Contractor in Power, Chemical, Other Industries and Infrastructure Projects with specialization in Power Sector EPC Projects.
3. Dipon Consultancy Services Ltd. – Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Investment & management consultancy services and financial inclusion (branchless banking) projects in order to bring the unbanked people into the banking system.
4. DG Infotech Ltd. – Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. ICT, Telecommunication, IT Enabled Services, Smart Card Projects, Business Process Outsourcing etc.
5. DG Logistics Ltd. – Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Provide complete logistics services to the Oil, Gas &Power Sector Projects with specialization in transportation of HEAVY EQUIPMENT from any port and deliver to any project location.
6. DG Terminals Ltd. – Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Deals with the liquid & gaseous storage terminals.
7. Dipon Gulf General Contracting LLC. – Based in Abu Dhabi. Deals with civil and mechanical projects in the Middle East.
8. Dipon Gulf Infotech LLC. –Deals with ICT projects in the UAE and Middle East.
9. Dipon Gas & Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. – Based in Nagpur, India. Deals with civil, mechanical, housing and township development projects in India.
10.Dipon Group (M) Sdn. Bhd. – Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Deals with business in Malaysia.
11.DG Infratech Pte. Ltd. – Based in Singapore. Involved in trading, sourcing & procurement for the entire group.
Currently Dipon Group is run by a highly qualified professional team of top level business leaders, management experts, project managers, engineers, accountants and computing &legal professionals.
GSM Shamsuzzoha (Nasim)
Head of Business Development
Dipon Group
