WINNER GCC OIL & GAS PROJECT OF THE YEAR

Bahrain

Refinery Gas Desulphurisation Project

Entrant/client: Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco)

Main contractor: Foster Wheeler Italiana

Description: Bapco’s Refinery Gas Desulphurisation Project was implemented to enhance ambient air quality in Bahrain. By removing sulphur from refinery process gases and eliminating contaminants from water produced in the refinery process, emissions can be reduced by 94 per cent. The project is part of Bapco’s $330m environmental plan, which was agreed with the Bahrain Environmental Authorities in 1999. The project consisted of five phases, each of which underwent vigorous examination to ensure environmental regulations were met. A full range of safety programmes was initiated, including daily tool box talks for all personnel, safety posters, safety incentive schemes and weekly management safety walks.

Oman

Burhan West and Harmal Pipeline Project

Entrant: Al-Hassan Engineering Company

Client: Petroleum Development Oman

Main contractor: Al-Hassan Engineering

Description: The Burhan West and Harmal Pipeline project included the design of high-pressure and high-temperature pipelines, flowlines and associated facilities. The Burhan West Area is located 30 kilometres from the existing Saih Nihayda Gas Processing facilities (SNGP). The Burhan West field was developed in three phases, starting with the Early Production System (EPS), followed by development drilling and finally a full field development. The EPS produced 1.5-3.5 million cubic metres  of gas a day, using the existing SNGP facilities. The project consisted of four wellhead facilities with flowlines, a new Remote Manifold Station (RMS), a bulk pipeline connecting the RMS to SNGP Inlet Manifold (together with the necessary extension of the existing Inlet Manifold) and 45km of 33kV overhead lines from Saih Nihayda to Burhan on concrete poles. Harmal is located 7km north of the existing Kauther Gas Plant (KGP). Initially scheduled to be complete within 16 months – a tight time frame considering the scheme’s vast and varied scope – the project was successfully commissioned four months ahead of schedule due to the use of various progressive strategies.

UAE

Construction of Mobile Offshore Production Unit

Entrant: Topaz Engineering

Client: Single Buoy Moorings

End user: Talisman Energy Norge

Main contractor: SBM

Description: The project included the construction of the Mobile Offshore Production Unit’s (Mopu) hull, top sides, accommodation module, insulation and a nitrogen/helium leak test. The total weight of the Mopu is 12,200 tonnes, with the structure comprising 7,200 tonnes. Close to 3,000 tonnes of hull structure was built from six layout drawings. Most of the structure was fabricated on the ground to minimise work at higher elevations. Construction was started prior to completion of the detailed engineering. A series of design changes made managing modifications a challenge, which were overcome by deploying additional resources.

Kuwait

Facility Upgrade and Relocation of Underground Pipelines Project

Entrant: Petrofac International

Client: Kuwait Oil Company

Main contractor: Petrofac International

Description: This brown-field project was strategically important for Kuwait Oil Company. It had the potential to boost oil production capacity by 250,000 barrels a day. The operational safety of seven oil-gathering centres and two gas-booster stations was greatly improved, while the recovery and reuse of associated gas was also increased. This had the dual benefit of reducing environmental pollution generated by the flaring of gas, as well as increasing the availability of gas for power production. Petrofac’s project strategy focused on sourcing local suppliers. All construction, structural pre-fabrication and pipe spooling was undertaken by Kuwaiti contractors. The primary challenge was compiling detailed drawings of the existing facilities – a complex task given that the facilities were very old. The project took 26 million man hours to complete.