Petroleum Development Oman’s (PDO) Rabab Harweel Integrated Project (RHIP) has entered the start-up phase with gas production from the first sour wells, marking a major milestone for the mega project and coming two months ahead of schedule
RHIP is an integrated oil and gas development across the Rabab and Harweel reservoirs in southern Oman. It is the largest capital project in PDO’s history, representing a reserve add of more than 500mn boe.
Raoul Restucci, PDO managing director, said, “Rabab Harweel is a world-class addition to our portfolio, coming in ahead of plan and well below budget. The investment returns are substantial, and, importantly, robust at low oil prices.
“This world-class, highly technical and complex project has been delivered by a team of skilled Omanis with an impressive safety record, overcoming significant logistical, technical and operational challenges. It is a great source of pride to everyone in PDO. I also want to take the opportunity to commend our strategic partners, Petrofac, CCC and Al Turki Enterprises for the sterling delivery and proficient collaboration.”
The facilities were built to handle the production of oil and gas from the Harweel oil reservoirs via miscible gas injection (MGI) – an oil recovery mechanism pioneered by PDO – and the production of gas from the Harweel and neighbouring Rabab reservoirs. Gas and oil production from RHIP will provide additional revenue that will contribute to economic growth.
Shihab Al Barwani, PDO project delivery manager, added, “RHIP forms an integral part of PDO’s portfolio and plays an important role in our growth journey and Oman’s economy as a whole.”
Although the procurement for the project engaged suppliers on a global scale, there was a significant emphasis on In-Country Value with 50 per cent of the procurement cost spent within Oman utilising local supply chains.
Around 200 Omanis were trained as certified 6G welders (the highest international standard) through PDO’s national objectives programme, specifically to work on the project.
The managing director stated, “The project has created a huge number of jobs and development opportunities for PDO, local suppliers and contractors, as well as adding to the company’s sour gas expertise, which we can leverage regionally and globally.”
