MUSCAT -- Representing yet another leap for Oman's oil and gas sector, Petroleum Development Oman's (PDO) Qarn Alam Steam (QAS) project is progressing at a considerable pace and will be functional by the end of 2010. Full-fledged operations are scheduled to commence in Q1 of 2011, according to the officials of the QAS project. Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is planning to cut by half the volume of gas flared within its sprawling Block 6 concession over the next five years.
John Malcolm, Managing Director, said the flaring reduction target is part of a wider strategy aimed at conserving natural gas as a resource for power generation, water desalination, industrialisation, and other usages, while also promoting energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and harnessing the potential of renewable energy sources. He was speaking at the opening of the 1st Middle East and North Africa Forum on Flaring Reduction and Gas Utilisation, which began at Al Bustan Palace InterContinental yesterday.
Geographically located nearly 400 kilometres south from Muscat, Qarn Alam project incorporates the most modern technology in steam injection and oil abstraction. Upon the commencement of operations in 2011, this project is expected to contribute 1,200 bpd of oil, according to the engineers. "As part of the PDO operations, we have large operations and QAS is the second of them with Harweel being the first," Rik Hofland, Project Manager, Qarn Alam Steam Project told the Observer. A steam pilot had been carried out at the site in 1998 and 2003. So far, 1.3 million tonnes of steam has been successfully injected through sustainable injection mode.
By Kabeer Yousuf and Conrad Prabhu
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
