The Hydrocarbon Pipeline Network and Development in Qatar

Abstract

Abstract The Transmission and Distribution Network comprises of interconnected gas and oil pipelines network of approximately 3000 km length, associated manifolds and more than 70 distribution stations located through Qatar. The hydrocarbons transported in this network such as sweet Methane gas, Ethane network, stripped associated gases, and tail gas, etc… are all utilized as fuel and feedstock gases to supply the various power plants and industries located in the State of Qatar. In addition, Transmission and distribution network is also responsible to monitor and maintain all QP and third party Companies' pipelines such as row gas, condensate and LPG pipelines, Ethylene pipeline and crude oil pipelines. As the State of Qatar is booming with tremendous expansion and development to the infrastructure for hosting the FIFA World cup 2022 and to meet its 2030 National Vision, the Gas pipeline network is also being expanded to meet Year 2030 supply and demand forecast, future industries and Urban and infrastructure development. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the development/expansion of QP pipelines network to cover the future national gas supply and demand forecast up to 2030. This will cover the expansion of power generation due to the increase in future national energy demand and the expansion and requirement for the new industries. In addition, the paper will highlight the urban development requirement such as domestic gas supply to houses and using Compressed Natural Gas CNG for local transportation. Moreover, the paper will discuss the infrastructure developments such as the new pipeline corridor tidiness and rationalization, new rail way interfaces with the existing pipeline network, and new Jet fuel requirement to the new Doha International Airport. All the significant challenges and lessons learnt for the network's planning, interfaces, construction, re-routing and operational challenges will be also addressed in this paper. Overview of the Gas Distribution System (GDS) Suppliers and Consumers This network is responsible to supply continuous and uninterrupted fuel gas needs of the State power plants for power generation and desalination within the State of Qatar. In addition, it is responsible to supply fuel and feedstock gases to the various industrial plants located in Mesaieed, Ras Laffan and Doha. The various types of consumers from power plants to industrial consumers require different types of gases as a fuel or feedstock to their plants. The various gases are provided by the Gas distribution system (GDS) which consists of sweet gas network, Ethane network, stripped associated gases from onshore ONSAG and offshore fields OFSAG, and Tail gas.