The Nawara gas field development project in Tunisia
is proceeding as scheduled, and the bidding process has now been completed,
relying on Tunisian partners.
The Nawara gas field development project is a 50/50 joint venture
between the Austrian integrated oil and gas company OMV and the Tunisian National
Oil Company ETAP (Entreprise Tunisienne d'Activités Pétrolières) that will
produce Tunisian gas for the Tunisian market.
Commencing with an initial phase of nine drilled wells, the target is
to reach a peak production of around 10.000 boe/d, providing more than 10% of
Tunisia’s total gas requirements, while helping reduce the country’s dependency on imported gas. The one-billion-euro project entails the
construction of a 370 km gas pipeline, stretching from the Central Processing
Facility in Nawara, Southern Tunisia, to the eastern coastal city of Gabès. Gas
treatment plants will ensure distribution to the Tunisian market.
“Unlocking additional gas resources in Southern Tunisia will have a
very positive impact on the Tunisian economy. With regards to contractors, we
have taken great care to ensure that the qualification and tender process has
been fair and transparent. Bidding has been completed in strict accordance
with international law,” said OMV Executive Board Member Jaap Huijskes.
A significant number of contracts have been awarded to local companies.
Two of the three main project elements are to be completed via a
German-Tunisian joint venture between Bouchamaoui Industries and Max
Streicher GmbH, who are constructing
the central Processing Facility and pipeline; while the gas treatment plant in
Gabès is being built by ABB Italy, partnering with the local Tunisian
construction company CERI (Compagnie Eurafricaine de Réalisations Industrielles). The line pipe procurement contract has been awarded
to Greek operator Corinth; while the line valve procurement has been
contracted to British firm LFF.
ETAP is progressing the 12-inch spurline and the Processing unit of Tataouine.
Engineering is now at an advanced stage. The Processing Facility site in
Tataouine is identified and call for bids for the spurline and Processing
Facility in Tataouine material purchases and fabrication contract will soon
be launched.
Moreover, the joint-venture
relies on various essential local partners including STEG (Société Tunisienne
de l’électricité et du Gaz); STIR (Societe Tunisienne des Industries de
raffinage); TRAPSA (Compagnie de Transport par Pipe-Line au Sahara); and SNDP
(Societé Nationale de Distrubtion des Pétroles). Commercial gas will be delivered to STEG’s national commercial gas
grid, at Gabès; and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) products (propane and
butane) to STIR via the SNDP Storage Facility, also at Gabès. Transport and
storage of condensate will be handled by TRAPSA.
An environmental impact research taking into consideration the special
environmental, ecological and social impact of the region has also been
developed and approved by the National Agency for Environmental Protection
(ANPE)
“This project is crucial to our growth in Tunisia,” said Jaap Huijskes.
“We expect to create more than 1,000 temporary jobs and some 200 permanent
jobs, bringing vital employment and investment to the country’s southern
region. Tunisia plays a significant role in the history of OMV, and we are
committed to further long-term investment, particularly in the south of the
country.”
Background information:
OMV Aktiengesellschaft
With Group sales of EUR 42.41 bn and a workforce of
around 27,000 employees in 2013, OMV Aktiengesellschaft is Austria’s largest
listed industrial company. The Exploration and Production business segment
has a strong base in Romania and Austria and a growing international
portfolio. 2013 daily production stood at approx. 288,000 boe/d. In Gas and
Power, OMV sold approximately 425 TWh of gas in 2013. OMV operates a gas
pipeline network in Austria and gas storage facilities in Austria and Germany
with a capacity of 2.6 bcm. In Refining and Marketing, OMV has an annual
refining capacity of 17.4 mn tonnes and as of the end of 2013 approximately
4,200 filling stations in 11 countries including Turkey.
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