The project
The goal of the NFPS iFEED project is to increase the extraction of natural gas from the offshore North Field through the expansion of surface facilities. The North Field is operated by Qatargas and is one of the largest non-associated natural gas fields in the world, located off the northeast coast of the Qatar peninsula.
Saipem provided Front End Engineering Design (FEED) services for the entire project, which include:
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new platforms
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corrosion resistant alloy pipelines
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subsea gas pipelines
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modifications to existing onshore and offshore plants
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procurement services
Key facts and figures
Project impact
This important project supports Qatargas’s vision to become the world’s largest producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
An extraordinary project
Given the strategic nature of the project and its tight schedule, the challenge was to provide a highly detailed FEED that harmonised both the new and existing infrastructures.
Saipem’s experience from EPCI projects and Qatargas’s plant management skills were integrated into the FEED, thus guaranteeing a high quality design.
The last part of the FEED was completed during the COVID-19 emergency, and the use of remote work teams made it possible to avoid any negative impact on the tight project schedule.
Assets and people
The project involved a team of more than 400 people from 7 execution centres.
The FEED milestones were reached ahead of schedule despite the difficulties caused by the ongoing pandemic; the situation was successfully managed with the introduction of remote working by Saipem worldwide starting in March 2020.
Qatargas and Saipem were able to create an integrated work team (One Team, One Goal), which was a key driver for the timely execution of the project.
Key takeaways
The project allowed Saipem to establish its position as a leading engineering services provider in the Middle East and for Qatargas.
Rich in natural gas reserves, Qatar is a key player in the LNG market, and it has been a privilege for Saipem to help the country’s growth and to take an active part in this project of worldwide importance. The completion of a complex, structured FEED in just 16 months strengthens Saipem’s position in Offshore Full Field Development and its leadership role in energy transition.
