In 2011, we started developing the Manifa field, the fifth largest oil field in the world, located offshore in the Arabian Gulf. This flagship project is testament to our commitment to both the expansion of our production capacity and our stewardship of the environment.
As part of the development, we completed 27 man-made drilling islands and the main and lateral causeways for Manifa. The islands were constructed to host shallow-water wells, which are more cost-effective than offshore rigs. Extensive engineering and ecological assessments were conducted to ensure the marine ecosystem would not disturb the migration paths of various marine species, not negatively affect natural water flow or threaten natural marine nurseries. The project’s success earned it a UNESCO Environmental Responsibility award nomination.
For the first time in our history, a program has combined onshore, offshore and a causeway in a single project. In addition, the project has broken world records in reservoir engineering, drilling and well servicing. Two world records were set in the Manifa field by drilling the deepest 6⅛--inch hole section to over 37,000 feet and deploying the longest 7-inch liner with a length of over 18,000 feet to a depth of 26,000 feet.
The development went live three months ahead of schedule and had achieved 500,000 bpd production capacity by July 2013. It includes 41 kilometers of causeways, three kilometers of bridges, 13 offshore platforms, 15 onshore drill sites, water supply wells, injection facilities, multiple pipelines and a 420-megawatt high-efficiency cogeneration plant – in addition to the 27 drilling islands.
By the time it reaches its full potential at the end of 2014, the Manifa field will have a production capacity of 900,000 bpd of Arabian Heavy crude oil, 90 million scfd of gas, and 65,000 bpd of hydrocarbon condensate. It will also deliver feedstock to Jubail and Yanbu’.
We hired 360 young Saudis to operate and maintain Manifa under the supervision of more experienced employees. The new hires include engineers, operators and maintenance personnel who have had extensive classroom and practical training, as well as hands-on experience in similar operations.
