Germany’s Siemens has signed a three-year maintenance contract for the automation, control and telecoms system on the UAE’s Habshan-Fujairah crude oil pipeline.

The deal with pipeline operator Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (Adco) includes the option of a two-year extension, Siemens says.

The pipeline’s automation control and telecoms system, which was commissioned by Siemens, allows the operator to control a wide range of variables, including different stations and streams.

The 380-kilometre pipeline, which began pumping crude in June, has the capacity to transport 1.5 million barrels a day (b/d) of crude from Abu Dhabi’s onshore oilfields to the UAE’s east coast port of Fujairah.