The works contracted by Saudi Aramco/Global to MAC/NSCC-DRILLTEC included the installation of a 1,500 meter long section of a 30” steel pipe being part of the Berri Flank-1 Water Injection System and a 2,100 meter long section of a 16” crude oil pipeline at Qatif/Juaymah. In both cases the pipeline sections were installed in one piece using a 4,000 kN capacity drilling rig. Both lines were installed using different methods whereby the 16” line for Qatif was pre-laid on the sea bed simultaneously with the ongoing HDD works and was finally pulled into the borehole off the sea floor, while the 30” line at Berri/Abu Ali Island was pulled into the borehole in single-joint modus being under fabrication onboard a pipe lay barge.

Despite some challenging geological obstructions and severe conditions on the offshore side, the joint effort of MAC’s construction management team with NSCC-DRILLTEC’s team of international drilling experts ensured that all operations could be achieved within the scheduled period and with minimal impact on the marine environment thus making this pilot project an opening for further deployment of this advanced technology in the Kingdom.