STEPHEN STACEY Hatch’s new office in Gaborone was established to consolidate its presence in the Southern African region
Mining and engineering consultancy Hatch will use its diverse experience in coal mining, unconventional oil and gas technology, power generation and industrial infrastructure to support national oil company Botswana Oil with regard to developing a coal-to-liquids (CTL) facility.
Hatch was awarded the project in mid-2016 by national oil company Botswana Oil, having deployed a global team spearheaded by business development consultant Mimi van Noordwyk of the Johannesburg office. “Our role as technical adviser will help our client define and quantify the value proposition for a CTL facility in this landlocked African country,” she says.
Despite having abundant low-cost coal reserves, Botswana relies heavily on imports to meet its liquid-fuel requirements. “This initiative has the potential to evolve into a strategic imperative of national importance for Botswana, states Hatch CTL industry lead Pauli Baumann.
The development of such a major CTL facility is expected to generate employment opportunities and boost the value of local natural resources, providing greater energy security for Botswana.
Since opening its office in Gaborone, on October 27, 2016, to consolidate Hatch’s presence in Southern Africa, the company says it has clinched strategic project wins.
These include being tasked with the design, engineering and supervision services for the coal stockpile shed at State-owned power utility Botswana Power Corporations’ Morupule power station, near Palapye, in Botswana.
Owing to high rainfall, the power station, has experienced major disruptions to its generating capacity over the last few years.
“We leveraged our experience in Chile, South Africa and Ethiopia to win an important project and an influential client, enabling Hatch to continue building a strong reputation in Botswana,” says Hatch Botswana project delivery group MD Stephen Stacey.
Hatch is also tendering on Phase 2 of the North–South Carrier pipeline, which conveys raw water south for 360 km to Gaborone.
“This is testament to how our presence in the region supports government’s recently launched economic stimulus programme aimed to grow the local economy and diversify it from its dependence on diamond mining.
“It is our intention to grow the Botswana office to about ten people by the end of this year and to 50 people within the next five years,” Stacey highlights. The aim is to establish a significant presence in the country with local shareholding and employees.