Dolphin Pipeline: Top stories

Laying the Dolphin Pipeline in Al Ain

MEED's top stories on the largest energy-related venture ever undertaken in the region.

RBS awarded Dolphin refinancing
Royal Bank of Scotland has been selected as the financial adviser for the $5bn refinancing of the Dolphin Energy pipeline between Qatar and the UAE.
UAE purchases gas from Dolphin pipeline at reduced rate
The UAE is buying gas from Qatar's cross-border Dolphin pipeline at a cut-price rate, helped by modest annual inflationary rises well below the double-digit increases elsewhere in the Gulf.
Six firms bid for Dolphin pipeline deal
Plans to boost gas supplies in the UAE have taken a significant step forward, with six companies submitting bids to extend the Dolphin Energy gas pipeline from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah.
Qatari firm wins contract to double the size of the Dolphin storage facilities
Dolphin Energy has awarded a $212m contract to double the capacity of its storage facilities to Qatar Engineering and Construction Company.
Gas shortages stall smelter at Ruwais
The aluminium smelter planned for Ruwais by Abu Dhabi Basic Industries Corporation (Adbic) has been put on hold because of a shortage of gas in the emirate.

Petroleum Development Oman: Stopping the drop
It has been a tough five years for Petroleum Development Oman (PDO). Last year, the sultanate produced more than 740,000 barrels a day (b/d) of oil, down 5 per cent on the year before.
Oman: Strapped for gas
Dolphin supplies are scheduled to arrive in Oman in early 2008, when the first flush of Qatari gas flows through the Maqta-Al-Ain pipeline into the sultanate.
Abu Dhabi: The mother of invention
For a place that has a reputation for conservatism, Abu Dhabi's gas sector has managed to rack up its fair share of regional firsts over the past 30 years. It was the first Gulf producer to adopt a zero gas flaring policy back in the 1970s. A decade later, it produced the Gulf's first drop of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and now it is on the verge of becoming the first consumer of gas piped in from one of its neighbours.
Doha bans new North field work
Qatar Petroleum (QP) has extended the moratorium on new gas developments in the North field. QP announced that no new North field development "is being discussed or will be discussed with any company at present. It is our assessment now that no decision will be taken on this front before 2010."
Abu Dhabi Gas: The dash for gas
The first flush of Qatari gas is due to land at Taweelah in Abu Dhabi emirate next year. The arrival of Dolphin gas will be a seminal moment for the regional energy sector, representing a new era in cross-border co-operation.

Dolphin's new gas processing plant at Ras Laffan

Dolphin Pipeline: Fast facts
The gas bottleneck that could halt Gulf growth
Ras al-Khaimah, the most northerly of the seven emirates of the UAE, has embarked on a development and modernisation programme that might be the Gulf's most intense.
Special Report: Energy sector outlook 2008
In the UAE, an international oil company is to be selected to develop Abu Dhabi's sour gas fields. With growing concern over the availability of gas feedstock, attention will again turn to the Dolphin pipeline, with phase 2 potentially bringing in an additional 1.2 billion cf/d of gas, if Qatar can commit to supplying it.
Increasing cross-border ties
The success of recent joint initiatives in the energy sector and improving diplomatic relations between the states are acting as much-needed catalysts for cross-border projects.
Grid drives regional co-operation
With the first phase of the GCC electricity network nearing completion, observers predict its success will push forward the agenda for a unified approach linking gas, water and rail projects.