Combustion solutions for the renovation of the Cap Lopez petrochemical complex in Gabon

Posted on: 06 / 11 / 2026 | 0 Comentarios | Tags: ATEX burners for oil and gas, Combustion solutions for an oil complex, Combustion Technologies, E&M Combustión, Quemadores ATEX para petróleo y gas, Soluciones de combustión para complejo petroquímico, tecnologías de combustión

E&M Combustión is developing combustion solutions for the renovation of the Cap Lopez petrochemical complex in Gabon. The equipment designed by the company will be used in potentially explosive areas (ATEX zones) as part of the modernization of the hydrocarbon complex located near Port-Gentil.

E&M Combustión’s contribution of combustion solutions for the renovation of the petrochemical complex focuses on the application of burners for the thermal oil heating system—a critical component in an industrial setting where safety requirements, fuel gas management, and integration with control systems are of particular importance. The development at Cap Lopez represents a major transformation of the country’s energy infrastructure, introducing new capabilities for gas processing and export. In this context, specialized combustion engineering is essential to meeting the reliability and operational demands of such facilities.

At this site, Perenco—the Franco-British company that owns and operates the terminal—is transforming the hydrocarbon complex to incorporate operations for the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). In doing so, the long-standing oil export terminal will expand its infrastructure to accommodate gas, with the goal of extending its operational lifespan by nearly five decades.

LNG and LPG Production

To carry out the project, the private European oil and gas exploration and production company commissioned the engineering firm Dixstone to handle the construction, procurement, and integration of the major Cap Lopez Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project. This development entails a total investment of $2 billion across two phases: $1 billion will be allocated to upstream operations—including the gathering of flared and marginal gas, as well as its compression and transport to the Cap Lopez terminal—while the remaining $1 billion will be directed toward gas monetization processes, which include liquefaction. Once completed, the plant will produce 700,000 tonnes of LNG and 25,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) annually.

In the United Arab Emirates, Dixstone is currently converting a former gas carrier vessel into a Floating Storage Unit (FSU). This floating facility, being built in the UAE, will provide storage infrastructure with a capacity of 137,000 cubic meters. Furthermore, the Dutch engineering firm—which specializes in providing services to the oil and gas industry—operates the “Les Chantiers de Gabon” shipyard in Port-Gentil, Gabon. This facility will support Perenco’s onshore operations, including gas extraction from fields operated within the country, as well as construction work at the Cap Lopez terminal.

E&M Combustión is currently finalizing the manufacture of two JBM-HP 500 G monobloc burners—each with a capacity of 7,000 kW and fueled by fuel gas—which will be commissioned at the terminal. The equipment will meet the requirements for an ATEX-classified Zone 1 area (gas group IIA)—specific safety standards for the oil and gas industry. The installation will include instrumentation, a chimney, a 22–30 kW forced-draft fan equipped with a variable-frequency drive (VFD), and automated control programming for both units.

E&M Combustión in the Oil and Gas Sector

E&M Combustión is distinguished by its expertise in the design and manufacture of process burners, as well as the integration of combustion systems featuring automated controls and stringent safety requirements for oil and gas environments.

Within the oil and gas sector, E&M Combustión provides monoblock burners for process heaters. In this industry, heaters are used to warm fluids such as crude oil, natural gas, produced water, or refined products. Their primary function is to optimize processes—such as phase separation, reducing crude oil viscosity, preventing hydrate formation, and enhancing efficiency in transport and refining.

The thermal engineering company designs and manufactures custom-engineered industrial burners for the oil and gas industry, with the core objective of providing technical responses and specific solutions tailored to their clients’ needs—all designed for operation in critical zones.