Dolphin
names Saipem to install Qatar to UAE pipeline
Posted: 28 March 2004
Italian contractor wins EPC award to install 370 kilometers
of pipe supplied by Mitsui of Japan
Dolphin Energy Limited today announced that Saipem S.p.A of Milan,
Italy will install its natural gas Export Pipeline between Qatar
and the UAE, at a value in excess of $350 million.
Saipem is the successful bidder for Dolphin’s engineering,
procurement and construction (EPC) award to install the 370-kilometer,
48-inch line. The line pipe has already been ordered from Japan’s
Mitsui & Company.
On completion in 2006, the Export Pipeline will transport natural
gas from Dolphin Energy’s processing plant in Qatar’s
Ras Laffan Industrial City to landfall at Taweelah in the UAE Emirate
of Abu Dhabi.
Dolphin Energy CEO Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh said that the award represented
an essential milestone in the development of the Dolphin Project.
“This pipeline is key to our plans, as it will transport valuable
gas to our new energy markets in the UAE and subsequently Oman.”
He added: “I congratulate Saipem on their carefully-prepared
bid. Dolphin looks forward to working closely with the company to
ensure maximum efficiency, and minimum environmental disturbance,
throughout the contract period.”
For Saipem, Chairman Pietro Franco Tali stated: “Saipem has
wide experience in large size pipeline installation throughout the
world and specifically in the Middle East. For us, this is a highly
significant award, due to the contract value and fundamental importance
of the project. We are delighted to be working with Dolphin.”
To construct the Export Pipeline, some 440,000 tons of steel pipe
will be manufactured in Japan and shipped to the Gulf. It will then
be coated and laid in a continuous process by Saipem up to a maximum
depth of 50 meters.
The award was made in accordance with the recommendations of the
Dolphin Tender Committee. Other approved bidders were Allseas (Switzerland),
J Ray McDermott (UAE), NPCC (UAE) and Stolt of France.
On January 12, 2004, Dolphin Energy announced the award of its
initial Dolphin Project contracts – for construction of the
Ras Laffan processing plant, supply of its compression units and
construction of two offshore production platforms respectively.
Dolphin Energy Limited
Dolphin Energy Limited was created to develop substantial energy
projects throughout the GCC. Its objective is to create long-term
economic wealth and new business opportunities for GCC citizens,
far into the future.
Dolphin Energy’s major strategic initiative, the Dolphin
Project, involves the production and processing of natural gas from
Qatar’s North Field, and transportation of the dry gas by
pipeline to the UAE, beginning in 2006.
Dolphin Energy’s first initiative, the Al Ain to Fujairah
Pipeline, came on stream in January 2004.The pipeline supplies the
Fujairah Water and Power Plant on the UAE’s East Coast –
initially with natural gas from Oman, and subsequently with Dolphin
gas from Qatar.
Dolphin Energy is owned 51 per cent by Mubadala Investment Company,
on behalf of the Government of Abu Dhabi – and 24.5 percent
each by Total of France and Occidental Petroleum of the USA.
For more information see www.dolphinenergy.com

Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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