11 November 2009
A Bapco project to install seven new gas dehydration units (GDUs) as part of a major Gas Development Programme in the Kingdom is progressing well with the arrival of major equipment from fabricators in the Middle East and Asia.

Bapco's Projects Engineering Department is currently executing the project -the total cost of which is estimated at US$74 million -  to install seven new Khuff Gas Dehydration Units, as well connecting one Khuff gas well, to the Central GDU at the onshore Bahrain Field as part of the 2007-2011 Khuff Gas Development Programme.

This project is essential as it supplements current Khuff gas supplies to meet increasing gas demand for power generation and other major industries in the Kingdom. It is expected that the project will add 200 million cubic feet per day of natural gas to the required consumption quantity.

The project includes receiving packaged, skid-mounted GDU units which were fabricated on schedule by UAE-based Petreco Process Systems/Cameron.

Major components of the GDUs have also been delivered to Bahrain. Heat exchanger vessels fabricated in Korea and air coolers from Qatar were delivered to Bapco in August 2009. The major consignment that includes the regeneration skids (biggest item), the absorber columns, air receiver skids and the complete interconnecting piping arrived in early September and is being delivered to the stores/sites in stages due to the heavy loads involved. An extensive plan has been set up in close coordination with all concerned departments and agencies for offloading the equipment from the barge, transporting the units to the different sites and offloading at the various locations.

Foundations for the major equipment have already been constructed at four sites and contracts for constructing the piping works (wellhead, dry gas, condensate and offsite piping) at four sites are being awarded. Construction tenders for the interconnecting piping works for the GDU were awarded in the first week of November.

The target is to commission three GDUs by summer 2010 followed by the balance four GDUs by summer 2011.

Bapco thanks the project team, hailing their dedicated efforts in ensuring the timely construction of the project, and fostering the success of the Company through their hard work, loyalty and dedication. 

- Ends -

For further information contact:
Kathleen Croes
Tel: 17757674 or 39122516 (mobile)

© Press Release 2009