South Africa Timeline
Our History in South Africa
Fluor entered South Africa in 1960 with the Sasol Styrene Butadiene project and the construction of Cape Town's Caltex Refinery. In the 1980s, we established a permanent South African engineering office.
In South Africa, we have primarily served clients in the mining and minerals and power industries. Fluor offer decades of local knowledge backed by global-scale resources.
1910s
Fluor quickly builds a reputation for innovation and precise engineering and construction work.
1912
Fluor Construction Co. founded
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1912: Fluor Construction Co. founded
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In 1888, John Simon "Si" Fluor emigrated from Switzerland to America in search of challenges and opportunity. He previously trained as a journeyman carpenter in the Swiss guild and brought with him the ethos that system embodied — a reverence for craftsmanship and the ambition to build structures that would outlast the builder.
In 1912, Mr. Fluor founded Fluor Construction Company in Santa Ana, California, leading the company until his death in 1944. Fluor Construction Company performed general contracting at the start and quickly gained a reputation for quality and innovation.
1960s
Fluor begins first project in South Africa.
1960
Fluor's first project in South Africa is to design and build Sasol's Styrene Butadiene production plant
1960: Fluor's first project in South Africa is to design and build Sasol's Styrene Butadiene production plant
Fluor's presence in South Africa began with the award of the Sasol Styrene Butadiene project. The project was divided into two $7 million contracts. One was a total-responsibility contract awarded to Fluor by South African Coal, Oil, and Gas Corporation, Limited (Sasol), for a plant to produce 10,000 long tons per year of styrene and 20,000 long tons per year of butadiene. Under the other contract, Fluor and Polysar International S.A. built the SBR installation for the Synthetic Rubber Corporation of South Africa.
1963
Fluor builds lowest cost refinery
1963: Fluor builds lowest cost refinery
Fluor engineered and constructed the new Caltex (now Chevron) Refinery in Cape Town. The refinery used enriched Arabian crude to produce regular and premium gasoline, diesel and fuel oils, low-pressure gas, asphalt and kerosene. Fluor completed the refinery in 1965.
1967
Fluor goes offshore
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1967: Fluor goes offshore
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Fluor diversifies into offshore drilling and construction business, eventually creating Fluor Drilling Services (later Fluor Offshore Solutions).
1968
Fluor builds complex refinery
1968: Fluor builds complex refinery
Fluor commenced with the engineering and construction of the NATREF refinery in Sasolburg, which at the time was one of the most complex refineries ever built.
1969
Fluor forms mining subsidiary with acquisition
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1969: Fluor forms mining subsidiary with acquisition
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Fluor Corporation acquires Utah Construction's engineering and construction division, augmenting Fluor's Mining and Metals division.
Fluor is a recognized leader in developing large, remote and technically complex mines and supporting facilities and infrastructure around the world.
1970s
Fluor establishes office in South Africa and invests in training.
1977
Fluor offers artisan training
1977: Fluor offers artisan training
Fluor began its artisan training programme in Secunda, South Africa. The trainees went on to perform construction activities on the Sasol II project.
1978
Fluor awarded first West African project
1978: Fluor awarded first West African project
Fluor, as the managing contractor, provided engineering, procurement and construction management to ESSO Exploration and Production Côte d’Ivoire, Inc. (ESSO).
Through this project, Fluor helped the Ivory Coast become an oil producer for the first time in its history.
1979
Fluor establishes office in Johannesburg
1979: Fluor establishes office in Johannesburg
Fluor established a permanent engineering office in Johannesburg.
1979
Sasol Coal-to-Gas Project in South Africa completed
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1979: Sasol Coal-to-Gas Project in South Africa completed
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Fluor constructs the first large-scale commercial liquid fuels-from-coal plant known as Sasol II in Secunda, South Africa, eliminating South Africa's dependency on imported gas. Sasol processes sub-bituminous coal into gasoline, diesel, jet fuels, ethylene, ammonia, sulfur and various chemicals and coal tar products.
1979
Fluor takes on project in KwaZulu-Natal
1979: Fluor takes on project in KwaZulu-Natal
Fluor was awarded the Afprene Synthetic Rubber project for Karbochem in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.
1980s
Fluor continues to grow in South Africa.
1982
First oil production at Espoir field
1982: First oil production at Espoir field
Fluor was the construction manager for a $1.1 million contract to manage five contractors involved in the installation and hook-up of initial facilities.
The early development production programme was undertaken to evaluate the recoverable oil in place and to design a tailored development programme. It consisted of four to five production wells, each linked by flowlines to production facilities on the Dan Duke platform. The processed crude was then stored aboard a VLCC and shipped to refining facilities.
1983
25,000 workers achieve world record 20 million safe work hours
1983: 25,000 workers achieve world record 20 million safe work hours
Fluor performed the engineering, and as a prime contractor, had overall responsibility in Sasol III. Sasol III was based on commercially proven synthol technology that was developed at Sasol One and Two, including process trains and storage. Sasol II and III cover six square miles.
1983
Fluor completes largest industrial coal to liquids facility in the world for Sasol
1983: Fluor completes largest industrial coal to liquids facility in the world for Sasol
Fluor completed the construction of the Sasol II and III in Secunda, South Africa. Sasol processes sub-bituminous coal into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, ethylene, ammonia, sulfur and various chemicals and coal tar products.
1983
Fluor relocates to Sandton
1983: Fluor relocates to Sandton
We relocated our engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) offices to Sandton.
1987
Fluor engineers the world's first GTL plant
1987: Fluor engineers the world's first GTL plant
Fluor started the engineering for the Mossgas Gas-to-Liquids plant in 1987.
1990s
Fluor establishes a training centre in South Africa.
1991
Sasol I renovation begins
1991: Sasol I renovation begins
Fluor completed the renovation of the Sasol I project in Sasolburg.
1992
Fluor achieves ISO 9001 certification
1992: Fluor achieves ISO 9001 certification
Fluor SA (PTY) Ltd Sunninghill, Sandton achieved ISO 9001 certification in 1992.
1992
Fluor opens training center in Secunda
1992: Fluor opens training center in Secunda
Fluor officially opened the Secunda Training Centre. The centre provides craft working training in South Africa.
1992
Fluor performs feasibility study for Shell Gabon and wins EPC contract
1992: Fluor performs feasibility study for Shell Gabon and wins EPC contract
Fluor and Shell Gabon S.A. worked together as an integrated team throughout engineering and design to minimise the impact on existing production and to ensure that all activities were achieved with due respect to the health, safety and environmental aspects of the project.
As a result of the collaboration, Fluor implemented a modular construction approach with most of the modules fabricated and tested in Europe prior to shipment to the site in West Africa.
1994
TRS recruitment begins in South Africa
1994: TRS recruitment begins in South Africa
TRS Staffing Solutions began recruiting engineers, designers, project managers and other technical and professional personnel to Fluor and other clients in South Africa.
1994
EPCM alliance signed
1994: EPCM alliance signed
SAPREF and Fluor sign an engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance (EPCM) alliance services agreement for SAPREF's refinery in Durban. The alliance supports SAPREF refinery projects.
1995
Trans Africa Projects JV formed
1995: Trans Africa Projects JV formed
Fluor and Eskom Enterprises establish a joint venture, Trans Africa Projects (TAP), to engineer and construct power transmission projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
1995
Sasol Twistdraai Coal Washing Plant awarded
1995: Sasol Twistdraai Coal Washing Plant awarded
Sasol awarded Fluor the engineering and construction of the Sasol Twistdraai Coal Washing Plant near Secunda. The washing plant included a 1430 tph cyclone module (3 off) with fine coal spirals, 80-mm diameter dense medium cyclones, 2-cyclone module treating 800 tph and filter press plant.
1996
Hulett Rolling Mill work commences
1996: Hulett Rolling Mill work commences
Fluor performed the engineering and construction of the Hulett Aluminium Rolling Mill in Pietermaritzburg. It was completed in 36 months, and the final cost was under budget.
1996
Fluor constructs Pillsbury factory
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1996: Fluor constructs Pillsbury factory
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Fluor was awarded the engineering and construction of the Pillsbury Muffin Factory in Johannesburg, South Africa. The estimated R25 million project, which complied with the stringent standards demanded by Pillsbury in the construction of plants around the world, was completed within a year.
1997
Fluor opens new offices in Sunninghill
1997: Fluor opens new offices in Sunninghill
Fluor's new offices in Sunninghill are officially opened by the Premier of Gauteng, the Honourable Mr. Tokyo Sexwale.
1998
Engen service agreement signed
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1998: Engen service agreement signed
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Engen Petroleum selected Fluor as its partner in performing all capital work at the Durban refinery, from conceptualisation through the construction of projects. The work covers all disciplines and also includes training, commissioning and handover to operations.
2000s
Fluor diversifies operations in Africa.
2000
American University in Cairo project commences
2000: American University in Cairo project commences
Fluor provided project and construction management services to the American University in Cairo for its new 260-acre campus. Designed as a “City for Learning”, the campus was designed to serve a student population of 7,000.
2000
Fluor celebrates accreditation
2000: Fluor celebrates accreditation
Fluor training centres granted SETA accreditation in South Africa.
2001
Fluor completes De Beers' CTP project in Kimberley
2001: Fluor completes De Beers' CTP project in Kimberley
Fluor successfully completed the CTP Project, a diamond processing facility for De Beers in Kimberley. The plant was designed to treat several old tailings dumps for the recovery of diamonds located in the area. The plant was designed to be able to handle a wide range of ore characteristics. The fine tailings disposal is achieved by pumping high density slurry a distance of 5 km, using the largest available positive displacement pumps, in only the second installation of its type in South Africa.
2002
South Africa's largest grassroots gold mine built for Avgold in Free State
2002: South Africa's largest grassroots gold mine built for Avgold in Free State
Fluor performed detailed design of the processes, structures and mechanical and electrical works, as well as construction of Avgold's Target Gold Mine Processing Plant. The facility, completed in 2002, was the first large grassroots gold mine built in South Africa in 20 years.
2002
South African government announces clean fuels initiative
2002: South African government announces clean fuels initiative
After the South Africa government announced a new clean fuels initiative, SAPREF decided to invest 700 million Rand to upgrade their Durban refinery. Fluor was commissioned to complete the engineering, procurement and construction for the upgrade.
2003
Fluor forms JV with Igoda
2003: Fluor forms JV with Igoda
Fluor formed a joint venture with Igoda, a 100% black owned company, Igoda Projects Ltd, in Durban to undertake projects at the Engen and Sapref refineries.
2003
Fluor completes Chad to Cameroon pipeline
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2003: Fluor completes Chad to Cameroon pipeline
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Fluor met the rigorous World Bank and ExxonMobil project requirements to complete the Chad to Cameroon pipeline. Fluor worked with ExxonMobil as part of an integrated management team.
2003
West Africa's largest deepwater production facility begins operation
2003: West Africa's largest deepwater production facility begins operation
Fluor/AMEC, as PMC provided topsides engineering, operations & maintenance support and commissioning services for the successful completion of "Kizomba A" - the largest Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) ever built - in record time.
2009
Rio Tinto awards Fluor with the 2009 Safety Award
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2009: Rio Tinto awards Fluor with the 2009 Safety Award
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The QMM Mineral Sands Project was recognised by Rio Tinto's Chief Executive with the 2009 Safety Award for outstanding safety performance. Fluor achieved 12 million consecutive safe workhours without a lost-time incident, a record in Madagascar and one of the top performances for a Rio Tinto project. The award also recognised our efforts to build a sustaining safety culture for the community and country.
2009
Black Economic Empowerment Award
2009: Black Economic Empowerment Award
Fluor won the prestigious award for implementing Fluor University and its associated programmes, as well as for providing specialist training in South Africa in planning, control systems design and piping design. This award recognises the meaningful contribution made by Fluor toward economic growth as well as social development in South Africa by equipping its employees with transferable skills. It is impossible to transform an organisation without the appropriate training, skills development and learning interventions.
2010s
Fluor celebrates 50 years of operations in Africa.
2010
Grootvlei power station returns to service
2010: Grootvlei power station returns to service
Fluor, in a joint venture with Pangaea and an alliance with Eskom, provided construction management, health and safety and industrial relations leadership and systems for the project. Fluor also provided project management for the boiler and utilities and offsites areas. Experienced staff provided expertise in systems, project controls, procurement, contracts and technical document control.
2010
Fluor South Africa recognized as one of South Africa's Top Empowerment Companies
2010: Fluor South Africa recognized as one of South Africa's Top Empowerment Companies
Fluor South Africa was recognised as one of South Africa's Top Empowerment companies as a result of its BBBEE and transformation. This award acknowledges Fluor's meaningful contribution to economic growth and social development by equipping its employees with transferable skills.
2012
Jwaneng Diamond Mine completed
2012: Jwaneng Diamond Mine completed
The Jwaneng Open Pit Diamond Mine is the largest, by value, in the world. Its expansion facilitates greater access to kimberlite ore. Fluor performed engineering, procurement and construction management services for associated relocation and rebuilding of the mine surface infrastructure. The project was completed in September 2012.
2012
Fluor's centennial event across six continents
2012: Fluor's centennial event across six continents
Fluor gathered around the world for its 100th anniversary celebration on April 21st, 2012.
2014
Fluor opens office in Mozambique
2014: Fluor opens office in Mozambique
Fluor expanded their operations to Mozambique in 2014. Fluor's office in Mozambique will help encourage development by supporting clients with engineering, procurement, construction and maintenance support.
2015
Fluor selected as Sasol's collaboration partner
2015: Fluor selected as Sasol's collaboration partner
Fluor signed a three-year agreement with Sasol Group Technology to perform a range of projects as an integrated team at Sasol's facilities in Secunda and Sasolburg, South Africa.
The primary objective of the agreement is for Fluor and Sasol to collaborate on small and mid-sized oil and gas projects. Fluor will also share its expertise on proprietary engineering and project execution tools and systems with selected Sasol Group Technology employees through on-the-job participation. Projects covered in the agreement range from conceptual studies to full engineering, procurement and construction management.
2015
Fluor opens in Botswana
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2015: Fluor opens in Botswana
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Fluor opened an office in Gaborone, Botswana in 2015. Fluor's previous experience in Botswana includes the Orapa Diamond Mine and the Jwaneng Cut 8 and Morupule Coal Mine Expansion Projects. The newly established office allows Fluor to continue offering integrated EPC solutions to Mining & Metals clients in Botswana.
2016
Fluor South Africa volunteers pack 10,000 hunger relief meals
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2016: Fluor South Africa volunteers pack 10,000 hunger relief meals
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Fluor Cares South Africa volunteers packed more than 10,000 Stop Hunger Now meals in support of Ikageng AIDS Ministry in Soweto, South Africa. Ikageng is a nonprofit organisation caring for more than 900 orphaned and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS around the Soweto area. Stop Hunger Now is a nonprofit organisation that involves volunteers to pack nutrient-rich hunger relief meals at meal packing events. The 10,300 meals packed at this event will feed 39 children five meals a week for a year.
2017
Fluor completes FEED for Sasol's Natref Clean Fuels 2 project
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2017: Fluor completes FEED for Sasol's Natref Clean Fuels 2 project
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Fluor performed basic engineering and development of a Class 3 cost estimate for an upgrade to the Natref refinery in Sasolburg, South Africa to meet Euro V clean fuels specification. Work scope included greenfield, brownfield and revamp of the Natref refinery to meet South Africa's Clean Fuels 2 specifications, as well as future ULP 95 market demand.
2017
Fluor applies modular approach to Letlhakane Mine project
2017: Fluor applies modular approach to Letlhakane Mine project
Fluor designed 60 process modules and 106 conveyor and services gantry modules for Debswana Diamond Company’s Letlhakane Mine Tailings Resource Treatment Project in Botswana. The project will extend the Letlhakane operation’s life-of-mine by 25 years.
2020s
2020 and beyond.
2020
Fluor celebrates 60 years in Africa
2020: Fluor celebrates 60 years in Africa
In 2020, Fluor celebrates 60 years of operations in Africa. Fluor began work in South Africa in 1960, completing the Sasol Styrene Butadiene project and the construction of Cape Town's Caltex Refinery.