Barzan Offshore Topsides Set Sail from South Korea to Qatar

RasGas Company Limited announced that the Barzan Gas Project’s four offshore platform topside modules, collectively weighing a total of 9,500 tonnes, have started their long journey by sea from Ulsan, South Korea to Qatar’s North Field. The topsides, which include three wellhead platforms and an additional living quarters module, will be installed beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013.

“The safe completion of the topsides and their successful sail away to Qatar marks the culmination of 32 months of close cooperation between the RasGas and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) project teams during engineering in Malaysia and fabrication in South Korea. We now look forward to continuing this teamwork during the final offshore hook-up phase of the project, following installation of the topsides in October,” said RasGas Chief Venture Officer Nafez Bseiso.

This milestone in the megaproject’s progress was marked by a sail-away ceremony attended by Qatar’s ambassador to South Korea, Ali Hamad Mubarak Al Marri, and senior delegations from RasGas and project contractor HHI. Representatives from the project shareholders Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Exxon Mobil Corporation were also present.

The delegation also attended the Professional Development Programme graduation ceremony for six Qatari nationals from RasGas and QP who have worked as members of the module construction project teams for the past two and a half years.

“Providing Qatari nationals with the opportunity to be part of this professional development program and encouraging them to take an active role in this strategic project demonstrates RasGas’ firm commitment to the development of our national employees’ skills and experience,” said Bseiso.

The scope of the Barzan Project includes the installation of three wellhead platforms, the living quarters and two pipelines to deliver gas to a new onshore gas treating plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City. HHI was awarded the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for the Barzan offshore facilities, including the modules and associated pipelines to shore.

RasGas was appointed by shareholders, QP and ExxonMobil, to manage the Barzan Gas Project. When the two trains are in operation, they are expected to supply approximately 1.4 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day (Bscfd). As Qatar anticipates an increased demand for energy to fuel infrastructure projects over the next decade, the Barzan Gas Project has monumental significance for the country’s sustainable growth. Intended to fuel the country’s planned megaprojects, the Barzan gas-processing trains will make RasGas one of the largest single gas processors in the world.