Halliburton completes pre-commissioning of Egyptian pipeline
Posted: 19 August 2003
Halliburton's Energy Services Group has successfully completed
the pre-commissioning phase of the East Gas Pipeline Project in
Egypt for Egyptian Natural Gas Company (GASCO)
The pipeline will be used to export gas to Jordan, Lebanon, Syria,
Turkey and other European countries. The 36-inch by 268 kilometers
(166 miles) pipeline runs from El-Arish, Egypt to Aqaba, Jordan
and is split into land and offshore sections. The 250 kilometers
(155 miles) land line extends from El-Arish to Taba and the 18 kilometers
(11 miles) offshore line runs from Taba to Aqaba, crossing the Gulf
of Aqaba in water depths of 850 meters (0.52 miles).
Pre-commissioning included fresh water flushing, residual dewatering,
pipeline cleaning, pipeline swabbing, air drying to minus 5 degrees
Celsius dew point, nitrogen-purging, and gas-in commissioning.
"The first challenge was time," said Reda Salam, project
manager for Halliburton. "The tight schedule commenced with
the initial notification request for mobilization in May to final
gas-in in June. By working on three-line sections simultaneously,
around the clock, and by applying Gasco's suggestion to launch the
pigs from the P.L. mid-station to benefit from the very high static
levels, we were able to complete the drying operations four days
ahead of schedule at an average dew point of minus 20 degrees Celsius.
With the assistance and cooperation of GASCO, the gas-in commissioning
was completed on schedule in June."
The second challenge was logistical. Personnel and an extensive
list of equipment – air dryers, compressors, nitrogen pumping
units, nitrogen tanks, test cabins and store containers –
were mobilized from the Pipeline and Process Services offices in
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Norway, and the United Kingdom,
requiring a tremendous amount of team work and dedication from all
parties, said Reda.
The third challenge was safety. Employees met this challenge head-on
by achieving zero motor vehicle accidents and Lost-Time Incidents
during the 45,000 miles clocked during the project.
In a letter, GASCO's Chairman and Managing Director, Mahmoud Latif,
said, "Because of Halliburton management commitment and our
mutual cooperation, we were able to finish this project in due time
and within budget. We want to re-emphasize our appreciation to your
superior performance and professionalism, and we hope to continue
our joint cooperation in future projects."
Halliburton, founded in 1919, is one of the world's largest providers
of products and services to the petroleum and energy industries.
The company serves its customers with a broad range of products
and services through its Energy Services Group and Engineering and
Construction Group business segments.
For more information see www.halliburton.com.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
Information supplied by companies
or PR agencies who are responsible for content. Send press releases
to info@pipelinedubai.com |
