Spring from the oil streams

(Quang Ngai Newspaper) - This spring, Quang Ngai seems happier as its oil refining economic plans continue to expand further.

Contributing to the pride of "Dung Quat oil refinery" are the hearts, minds, and hands of the people responsible for importing crude oil to ensure the Dung Quat Oil Refinery operates safely, continuously, and efficiently.

Off...
After several missed appointments due to rough seas and strong winds, one day in early 2024, we had the opportunity to accompany the officers, engineers, and sailors working at the Port Management Board of Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Joint Stock Company ( BSR ) on a crude oil import trip. At exactly 5:00 AM, we departed from Quang Ngai City to Dung Quat Port. Along the way, Mr. Ton Tinh Bien, Deputy Director of the BSR Port Management Board and the shift leader for this trip, shared that upon receiving information from the captain of the crude oil tanker Nguyen Xuan Thuong the previous night, they immediately developed a plan for towing, connecting, technical inspection, and oil pumping. This information was then shared with all relevant personnel to ensure readiness for the mission.

A panoramic view of the fleet coordinating the import of crude oil from the HERA oil tanker to the Dung Quat Refinery. PHOTO: THANH HUYEN

Upon arriving at the port, the team members took on their roles, boarded the ships, and headed straight for the crude oil tanker anchored offshore. The entire crew traveled on three tugboats and one specialized speedboat. The crew from the BSR Port Management Board traveled on the speedboat named "Refinery 03," which was staffed by skilled marine operators such as Nguyen Ho Dat, Le Thanh Binh, and Nguyen Dinh Nhi. The remaining crew, about 20 people from the Petroleum Services and Exploitation Joint Stock Company ( PTSC ), traveled on the three tugboats.

I was assigned to the tugboat named "Thousand Years of Thang Long Hanoi 02," captained by Mr. Nguyen Quang Buu. Mr. Buu is from Quang Nam province and has worked at the Dung Quat deep-water port since 2004, making it 20 years now. In 2009, when the Dung Quat Oil Refinery began operations, Mr. Buu was appointed to pilot the tugboat and has remained so until now. Despite years of navigating the same route, Mr. Buu says that each trip evokes a sense of excitement and enthusiasm.

Body in the sea, heart connected to the shore.
Captain Buu's vibrant youth was intertwined with the waves of the Dung Quat deep-water port. The captain, who has piloted thousands of ships in and out importing crude oil, says that no two trips are ever the same. Some days there are rough seas, other times high waves, sometimes sideways waves, and sometimes deep waves suddenly turn into shallow ones. The tugboat bobs like a bobblehead doll, constantly swaying on the waves.

The tugboat also served as the living and sleeping quarters for all the crew. It was truly their "second home." During the more than one hour journey from shore to sea, the sailors told us about their work. The conversation was lively when it suddenly stopped as a large ship named HERA appeared in front of the tugboat. The sailors began their shift.

The crude oil tanker HERA is en route from the Bach Ho oil field to the Dung Quat deep-water port. PHOTO: Provided by the company.

Not far from the HERA vessel, the Refinery 03 patrol boat accelerated, cutting through the waves, closely following the oil tanker's side, and brought shift leader Ton Tinh Bien and the technical team onto the crude oil tanker. Three tugboats fanned out in three directions: towards buoy number 0, the stern, and the middle of the oil tanker. All were in position to carry out their tasks as planned. Shift leader Ton Tinh Bien relayed orders via radio. The waves grew larger, yet the team performing the oil transfer remained steady, professional, skillful, and precise. At exactly 10:00 AM, the connection was complete. The crude oil officially began to be transferred from the HERA vessel to buoy number 0, through the pipeline across the sea to the refinery. Ton Tinh Bien shared that each person on duty must always remember, "While at sea, the mind must be alert, and the heart connected to the shore." This is the principle that helps each person successfully complete their assigned tasks.

Under one roof
Once the connection was successfully made, the oil from the HERA vessel flowed across the sea to the Dung Quat Refinery. Captain Nguyen Xuan Thuong beamed with a radiant smile, thanking everyone on duty. That smile blended with the waves, dissipating with the wind, casting away worries and fatigue, and replenishing the entire crew with new energy. Captain Thuong shared that although the crew members came from different units, they all shared the same mission: to bring crude oil to the Dung Quat Refinery. They treated each other like family, trusting and working together seamlessly. Witnessing this collaborative work in the middle of the ocean, they felt the sincerity in his words. This is also a crucial element contributing to the safety and efficiency of Vietnam's number one oil refinery.

Captain Nguyen Quang Buu (left) operates the tugboat "Thousand Years of Thang Long Hanoi 02" as it delivers crude oil to the Dung Quat Refinery. PHOTO: THANH HUYEN

With nearly four days to go since embarking on its voyage, the HERA, carrying 600,000 tons of oil worth approximately $48 million, sails towards Dung Quat, placing a heavy burden on the captain. Safely docking and quickly pumping all the crude oil to the refinery is the hope of every crew member. According to the plan, the HERA will anchor at sea and unload the 600,000 tons of crude oil, a process that will take over 30 hours. This is also the time the 25 crew members on board can rest and recharge before starting a new voyage. Immediately afterward, the HERA will weigh anchor, leave port, and return to the Bach Ho oil field to repeat the cycle and create new value.

THANH HUYEN

RELATED NEWS AND ARTICLES:

Source: https://baoquangngai.vn/kinh-te/202402/mua-xuan-tu-nhung-dong-dau-e230dc9/