We have just returned from Athens, where we attended the 58th Annual Convention of IPLOCA, our industry association, and were honored with two prestigious awards.
We received the Health & Safety Award for our "Steep Slope Operation Training" program, and the New Technologies Award for converting our diesel pipe bending machine into an electric-powered one, demonstrating our commitment to innovation and more sustainable operations.
These two awards mean a great deal to us, and we want to share the stories behind them.
The “Steep Slope Operation Training” project is SICIM’s solution to a real-world challenge. In 2024, when we were awarded, in partnership with Nesma & Partners, Saudi Aramco’s Master Gas System Expansion Phase 3 (MGS III) project in Saudi Arabia, we faced the task of installing a 56-inch pipeline across particularly rugged terrain, characterized by extremely steep slopes and, consequently, a high level of risk. Training operators, often coming from different countries and bringing diverse languages, cultures, and professional backgrounds, required an approach capable of addressing every possible variable. But how could we move beyond theory and test real-life scenarios without exposing people to actual risks?
To meet this challenge, we expanded traditional classroom and field training through the use of realistic, radio-controlled scale models. This innovative approach enabled us to replicate operator behavior, simulate steep-slope operating conditions, and demonstrate both safe and unsafe practices in a controlled environment, without putting lives at risk or causing damage to equipment.
The results confirm the effectiveness of investing in training: a reduction in high-potential incidents and equipment damage, an increase in operational skills, and a larger pool of qualified personnel to support field activities.
Meanwhile, the conversion of a diesel-powered pipe bending machine into an electric-powered one demonstrates that corporate goals can be successfully aligned with sustainability, even within the EPC sector. This project combines the reduction of emissions and a lower environmental footprint with the guarantee of a healthy and safe working environment.
It is a prime example of how our R&D department works to foster a more mindful approach toward both the environment and people. This ambitious goal involved a cross-functional team from various departments—mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical—engaging over 60 people, including engineers, workshop and field operators, and management.
This collaborative effort resulted in an Electric Pipe Bending Machine capable of saving approximately 66,000 lt of diesel and avoiding around 150 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
IPLOCA recognized these strategic choices this year. Our Managing Director, Guido Cagnani, and Leonardo Gravina , General Manager, were there to accept the two awards on behalf of SICIM.
