ONGC
LAUNCHES BIGGEST PIPELINE PROJECT IN ASIA PACIFIC
The state-run Oil and
Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) has launched the biggest pipeline
project in Asia Pacific by way of laying two sub sea pipelines
in Mumbai High offshore field at an estimated cost of $600
million.
Dubbed the Bombay High-Uran
Trunk Pipeline Project, the mammoth pipe upgrades involves
laying two 204-km pipelines - one a 30 inch diameter line
for oil and the other a 28-inch gas line - to replace the
ageing trunk lines at the Mumbai High offshore field in the
Arabian Sea, company sources said.
At present crude oil and
natural gas produced from various offshore platforms at Bombay
High is transported to Uran Plant through Bombay High to Uran
Trunk (BUT) pipeline system. This pipeline system, laid in
1978, is over 25 years old and has completed its designed
operating and service life. Recently, there were leaks in
the oil trunk pipeline.
"Due to these factors
and planned redevelopment of the fields in the western offshore,
laying of a new replacement pipeline system has become necessary,"
they said.
ONGC is likely to award
the engineering, procurement, installation and construction
(EPIC) contract to Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of South
Korea and wants the pipelines to be ready by May 10, 2005.
The work scope also includes about 50-kms of spur lines to
the Uran onshore collection terminal near Mumbai. Project
design was undertaken by Engineers India Ltd.
HHI, the sole bidder for
the contract, bid $131.4 million less than the original estimated
cost of $737.29 million, sources said.
