Pipeline Supply for Oman National Gas Grid Expansion (Fahud-Sohar Pipeline Enhancement) Project
Project Time: Referencing planning and construction cycle, approximately 2019 - 2021 for a specific phase/segment
Project Location): Pipeline corridor area between Fahud and Sohar industrial zone in Oman
Project Owner (Illustrative): Oman's national natural gas pipeline operator (such as OQ Gas Networks - OQGN) or its main engineering contractor
Product: Large-diameter, high-grade seamless or LSAW line pipe with 3LPE external anti-corrosion coating
Standard and steel grade: API 5L X65/X70 PSL-2 or equivalent level
Quantity: Approximately 9,000 tons for one of the project segments
Project Background
To meet the growing natural gas demand in Oman's northern industrial areas (particularly Sohar) and to enhance the capacity and flexibility of the national gas grid, OQ Gas Networks (OQGN) planned and implemented a series of network expansion projects, including the Fahud-Sohar pipeline enhancement. These projects aimed to improve the security of gas supply from inland gas fields to coastal industrial users by constructing new loop lines or upgrading existing facilities. We were privileged to participate in the line pipe supply for one of the key segments of this initiative.
Client Challenge
● High standards for pipe material: The project involved long-distance, high-pressure gas transmission, imposing extremely high requirements on the strength, toughness, dimensional accuracy, and weldability of the line pipe.
● Harsh construction environment: The pipeline traversed desert and complex terrains, posing severe tests for the external anti-corrosion performance of the pipes and their adaptability to on-site construction conditions.
● Tight schedule and logistics coordination: To align with the overall project schedule, pipe materials needed to be delivered in batches to different construction sites according to a strict timeline, demanding high capabilities from the supplier in production organization and logistics management.
Our Solution and Results
● Supply of high-quality pipe material: We supplied large-diameter, thick-walled line pipe compliant with API 5L X70 PSL-2 standards, ensuring all pipes underwent rigorous quality inspections and performance tests.
● High-performance anti-corrosion coating: All line pipes were treated with a three-layer polyethylene (3LPE) heavy-duty anti-corrosion coating as per client requirements to withstand harsh external environments and ensure the long-term service life of the pipeline.
● Precise delivery planning: We worked closely with the client and EPC contractor to develop detailed production and phased delivery plans, utilizing multimodal transportation to ensure timely and safe arrival of pipe materials at various construction fronts.
Project Outcomes
We completed the line pipe supply for our designated segment on time, to quality, and in quantity, strongly supporting the smooth progress of the Fahud-Sohar pipeline enhancement project. The quality and anti-corrosion performance of the supplied pipes were highly recognized by the client and supervising engineers. Successful participation in this project not only demonstrated our supply capabilities in large-scale energy infrastructure projects but also accumulated significant credentials for our further expansion in the Middle Eastern market.
