Saudi Aramco plans to replace an existing pipeline in the Abqaiq-Ras Tanura transmission network with a new 24-inch pipeline
Contractors have submitted bids to Saudi Aramco for a tender to replace a pipeline in the Gas Line Abqaiq-Ras Tanura (GART) transmission network.
The GART grid transports associated gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) from the Abqaiq oil processing complex as feedstock, northwards to the Ras Tanura refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The aim of the project is to replace the GART-22 pipeline that connects the Juaymah export terminal on the Gulf coast in the Eastern Province to the Ras Tanura refinery, to ensure reliable fuel gas supply and meet ongoing demand.
The basic scope of work for the project is to install a new 24-inch pipeline system to replace the GART-22 line and the abandoned GART-24 line. It will cover a distance of 18 kilometres between Juaymah and the Ras Tanura terminal.
The scope also includes the installation of associated scraper trap facilities (launcher and receiver), pressure control valves, motor-operated valves and gas detection and sampling systems.
Aramco issued the tender for the project in May, setting an initial deadline of 30 June for contractors to submit proposals, MEED previously reported.
The Saudi energy giant then extended the deadline until 10 July, and then allowed bidders until 12 July. Contractors submitted their proposals by that final deadline, according to sources.
The following contractors, among others, are understood to be bidding for the project:
- ACE Pipeline Arabia
- Combined Group Contracting Company
- Gas Arabian Services Company
- Max Streicher Saudi Arabia
- National Basics Company
- Saad Ali Alessa Group
- Sicim
- Sinopec Engineering Group Saudi
- Tecton Engineering & Construction
Ras Tanura refinery complex
The Ras Tanura refinery is the oldest, and one of the largest, crude oil refineries in Saudi Arabia. The complex has a refining capacity of 550,000 barrels a day (b/d).
The facility also has a 305,000 b/d NGL processing facility, a 960,000 b/d crude stabilisation facility, combined steam and gas turbine electrical power generation plants with a summer capacity of 145MW and a winter capacity of 158MW, and a combined 150-pound and 600-pound steam capacity of 6,217 million pounds an hour.
It has 75 crude oil and products storage tanks with a combined capacity of 5.8 million barrels.
The Ras Tanura refinery’s major facilities include a 325,000 b/d crude distillation unit, a 225,000 b/d gas condensate distillation unit, a 50,000 b/d hydrocracker and 107,000 b/d of catalytic reforming capacity.
The facility is Aramco’s only refinery to contain a Visbreaker processing unit, which has a 60,000 b/d capacity.
The Visbreaker reduces the quantity of residual oil produced in the distillation of crude oil and increases the yield of more valuable middle distillates, heating oil and diesel.
The refinery complex also produces 17,000 b/d of asphalt, more than any other refinery in Saudi Arabia.
Ras Tanura receives crude feedstock from the Abqaiq, Safaniya and Manifa oil field developments.
Crude is typically transferred to Ras Tanura through a pipeline and can also be supplied by ship.
Most of Ras Tanura’s production is transferred to the Dhahran bulk plant for domestic use, while some products are exported from the nearby Ras Tanura shipping terminal.
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