In June 2005, KSB Aktiengesellschaft Frankenthal (Germany) contracted for the supply of two big submersible borehole pumps worth around half a million euros. Each unit has a motor rating of 900 kW and requires a 6000 V supply voltage. The pump capacity of each pump unit is 1200 cubic metres per hour at a design head of 200 metres.

The pumps made from highly wear and corrosion resistant stainless steel will be used in Mongstad, to the north of Bergen, for filling and draining a 80,000 cubic metre rock cavern containing naphta. Naphta is an important intermediate product used in the production of plastic materials. It is produced by distilling ethylene.

The Frankenthal pump manufacturer expects to deliver the pump units to Norway’s leading oil company in April 2006. In Mongstad, the petroleum pumped up from the Norwegian shelf is refined and stored in rock caverns. From there, a fleet of tankers delivers the petroleum products to destinations all over the world.

Picture: Submersible borehole pumps for Norway’s leading oil company (photo: KSB Aktiengesellschaft, Frankenthal).