Salalah: In a momentous occasion, Oman’s Natural Gas Transmission Network, under the exclusive management of Salalah-based Salalah: OQ Gas Networks (OQGN), commemorated the commencement of the Saib Project. This project, an additional gas pipeline extending 208 kilometers from Dhofar Governorate, was inaugurated with a financial investment of OMR76 million.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of HH Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, the esteemed Governor of Dhofar, alongside government officials, community leaders, members of the OQGN Board of Directors, and key stakeholders and contractors.
The Saib Project is in alignment with OQGN’s strategic objectives to augment the capacity of the gas network in response to the escalating population, urban development, and economic growth.
With the completion of this project, the capacity of the gas network is set to increase by 60%, from 10 million cubic metres per day to 16 million cubic metres per day.
The Saib Project is comprised of two loops: the first loop, measuring 32 kilometers in length at Hubara, within the wilayat of Haima, and the second loop, spanning 176 kilometers from Harweel to Raysut station in Salalah, with a total length of 208 kilometers, which includes both 32-inch and existing 24-inch pipelines.
The scope of the project also encompasses the extension of 6 block valve stations, along with the construction of 3 new launching and receiving stations.
A total of 16,978 pipes, each with a diameter of 32 inches and a length of 12.5 meters, were transported to the construction sites, traversing mountainous terrains within the Governorate of Dhofar and Al Wusta.
Eng. Mansoor Ali Al Abdali, the CEO of OQGN, expressed, “The inauguration of the Saib Project in Dhofar Governorate marks a significant milestone in our company’s history. It addresses the growing demand for gas in the region and underscores our commitment to supporting local communities and fostering economic development in accordance with Oman Vision 2040.”
He further stated, “The completion of the Saib Project signifies a significant step in the enhancement of the natural gas infrastructure within the Sultanate of Oman. This strategic expansion not only caters to the increasing energy demands of Dhofar Governorate but also highlights our dedication to sustainable development and our resolve to spearhead the transition towards clean energy in the near future.”
Over the past decade, OQGN has maintained an exceptional gas availability rate of 99.9%, with no interruptions in supply.
It has successfully transported approximately 40 billion cubic meters of natural gas and operates around 4,031 kilometers of gas pipelines throughout the Sultanate of Oman.
In conjunction with this initiative, OQGN has demonstrated its commitment to supporting its In-Country Value (ICV) programs by allocating a substantial investment of OMR11.5 million towards the procurement of local materials and services for the implementation of these projects.
Furthermore, the project has actively involved the local community by employing over 380 Omani citizens throughout its duration.
In addition, the initiative has placed a significant emphasis on the development of national talent, aiming to meet the stringent standards set by international organizations. This has been achieved through the provision of extensive training for employees in essential areas such as Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE), among others.
Motivated by the company's core principles of fostering Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) corporate practices, the project has successfully completed over three million man-hours without any Lost Time Injury (LTI).
It is important to highlight that OQGN serves as a pivotal intermediary, facilitating the connection between gas producers and consumers in critical sectors involved in the production of raw materials or the generation of electricity. These sectors include LNG, power generation, water desalination, oil and gas, industrial and commercial facilities (petrochemical plants, fertilizer plants, aluminium plants, and steel plants).
