Saudi Aramco Eyes Hawiyah Gas, NGL Expansion
Saudi Aramco is close to start-up on its $4bn Hawiyah gas and NGL project. The Hawiyah NGL recovery plant will process 4bn cfd of gas – 1.6bn cfd from Haradh gas plant and 2.4bn cfd from an expanded Hawiyah gas plant to produce 310,000 b/d of NGLs. Train 1 came on-stream earlier this month, Train 2 will be on-stream in May, while Train 3 will be commissioned in June. Hawiyah gas plant has been expanded by 800,000mn cfd to 2.4bn cfd, and will be supplied from new non-associated gas production from reservoirs in super-giant Ghawar field.
The project has been slightly, but not seriously, delayed by the 18 November explosion on a gas pipeline feeding the plant, MEES understands. Forty people died in what was the worst industrial accident in the history of the Saudi oil industry. Contractors for German pipeline company Suedrohrbau were changing sections of the pipeline while gas was still flowing when the explosion happened. It is a dangerous but standard exercise, widely practised throughout the industry. The official report on the accident found human error to be at blame, MEES learns.
Copyright MEES 2008.
