HARADH: Saudi Aramco on Wednesday, officially inaugurated Haradh third gas oil separation plant (GOSP) which has a production capacity of 300,000 barrel per day (bpd) and gas processing capacity of 140 million standard cubic feet (SCF) per day of associated gas.
It was inaugurated by the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Ali bin I. Al-Naimi. The opening of the complex has brought the total production of the to 900,000 bpd.
Haradh GOSP-1, put on stream in March 1996, and Haradh GOSP-2, set up in April 2003, have a production capacity of 300,000 bpd each.
The Haradh area in an integral part of the Ghawar field, which is the world s largest onshore oil field.
The Haradh GOSP-3 is another significant achievement in helping Saudi Aramco to continue to meet the global energy demands, Naimi said.
Ali A. Al-Ajmi, Saudi Aramco vice president for project management, said addressing a press conference that Haradh GOSP-3 was completed both under budget and in record time (less than 23 months).
Haradh demonstrates the growing strength of in-Kingdom companies, and the depth of the talent pool available here, Al-Ajmi said.
He said that the Haradh GOSP and gas contracts were among the first that Saudi Aramco has signed with the Saudization thrust of the Kingdom, creating and providing new job opportunities for citizens.
Ajmi said that two third of the materials for the separation plants and gas facilities were purchased in the Kingdom with total value of about SR469 million (US$125 million).
He also said that Saudi Aramco is currently engaged in a series of oil and gas mega-projects, including the Hawiyah NGL recovery project, Khursaniyah, Khurais, and phase 11 of Shaybah.
These mega projects are vital to the continued health of the global economy, and the Kingdom s ability to meet growing energy demand.
By Joe Avancena
The Saudi Gazette 2006
