Saudi Aramco Launches Shaybah’s Central Processing Facilities GOSP-4 Construction
Saudi Aramco announced on 14 March it had launched the construction of Shaybah central processing facilities’ GOSP-4. When completed in 2008, the new gas-oil separation plant will produce 250,000 b/d of high-quality Arab Extra Light crude oil. In April last year, Saudi Aramco signed five contracts for the expansion of crude oil production at the Shaybah field. Canada’s SNC-Lavalin was awarded the main engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the central processing facilities, while Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) won the contract for power generation. Saudi companies were awarded the remaining three contracts: Energy and Power Contracting Company for power transmission; Haif Company for a residential complex; and Ahmad al-Binali and Sons for site development (MEES, 17 April 2006). The Shaybah field in the Rub΄ al-Khali produces 500,000 b/d of light crude oil. The expansion project is part of Saudi Arabia’s overall program to increase crude oil production capacity, which at the Shaybah field is scheduled to rise by an additional 250,000-500,000 b/d by 2008 (MEES, 6 March 2006).
