Giant dual seawater lines completed in Saudi Arabia

Construction has been completed on dual 142- and 152-cm (56- and 60-in.) steel pipelines to move sea water from the Arabian Gulf in the Ghawar field. The pipeline project is part of the first phase of a large Aramco construction program that will supply treated sea water for reservoir pressure maintenance. Although the water initially will be injected into the Ghawar field, later phases call for extending the supply system to the Shedgum, Abqaiq, and 'Ain Dar areas. Engineering for the pipeline was performed by Saudi Arabia Bechtel Co., and construction was handled by Saipem of Italy's ENI group. Other construction projects in the first phase include the water injection treating installation near RA's al Qurayyah, and a surge control system. The line was completed last July. Hydrostatic testing has not been conducted, but this operation is expected to take place in the near future. A map of the area shows the route of this construction. The 56- and 60-in. dual pipeline system extends 61 miles from a seawater treating installation to the Uthmaniyah water supply station near the Ghawar oil fields. This map shows the location of the various terrain conditions along the route.