The Job Site

The Russians think in terms of massive scale. When completed, this refinery will not only process crude oil into gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene, but will also produce all sorts of petrochemical products. WIth our help, the client has come to realize their limitations on money and are only going to build the first stage essentials during this initial phase. The other stages will follow once the initial stage is running and producing some income. This stage is estimated at some $4bil dollars.

The site is in the shape of a backwards "L" looking from south to north, with each leg about 2 miles long. So to walk from the north end where our offices are to the extreme southwestern end is about 4 miles. This site is part of a much larger industrial complex with other refineries of similar size. The entire complex is located about 10 miles outside the city limits on a rise above the city. The city is located along the river valley. From the city, this industrial area spans the western horizon.

Our offices consist of a 3-story building of stacked modular construction. They are quite adequate. From time-to-time the power goes out and today the water is shut off. The cafeteria, which is in another building, is also shut down, so we are ordering lunch brought in. Until the portable toilets are brought in, we are watching our fluid intakes.