Berri Expansion

Berri Expansion Oil Field Project Profile

Location and Overview

The Berri oil field is located partly onshore and partly offshore on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, north of Ras Tanura. The expansion project is part of the broader Berri Oil Field complex.

History and Background

The Berri field was discovered in 1964 and commenced crude oil production in 1970. The Berri gas plant was brought into operation in 1977. Over the years, the field has undergone several expansions, including the use of horizontal drilling techniques for offshore wells in 1991 and the installation of sulphur recovery trains and new storage tanks in 2004.

Project Details

• Objective: The Berri Increment Program (BIP) aims to double the crude production capacity of the Berri field to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Arabian Light crude oil. This is part of Saudi Aramco’s strategy to maintain its overall maximum sustained crude production capacity at 12 million barrels of oil per day (Mbod).

• Facilities and Infrastructure:

  • A new 250,000 bpd gas oil separation plant (GOSP) at the existing Abu Ali GOSP facility.
  • Additional gas processing facilities at the Khursaniyah gas plant to produce 40,000 bpd of associated hydrocarbon condensate.
  • A 140MW gas-fired power generation unit at the new GOSP.
  • Sulphur removal trains to process 370 million standard cubic feet per day (Mscfd) of associated sour gas.
  • Two drilling islands, one water injection facility, 11 oil and water offshore platforms, and nine onshore oil production and water supply drill sites.
  • Associated pipelines and infrastructure.

Contractors and Service Providers

Several contractors are involved in the project:

• Front-end Engineering and Design (FEED): Amec Foster Wheeler for the new GOSP and additional gas processing facilities.
• Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (EPCI): National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) for offshore jackets, Subsea 7 in consortium with L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering for subsea pipelines, and Saipem for new processing facilities at Abu Ali and Khursaniyah.
• Other Contractors: SNC-Lavalin for engineering and project management, China Harbour Engineering for the construction of drilling islands, and Belfinger for modernizing the air-pressure system at the Berri gas plant.

Project Timeline and Status

• Initiation: The Berri Increment Program was initiated with FEED studies in 2017.
• Contract Awards: Key engineering and construction contracts were awarded in 2018 and 2019.
• Scheduled Commissioning: Originally scheduled for 2023, but there are indications that the project timeline may have been adjusted. As of early 2024, projects that had already reached Final Investment Decision (FID), including the Berri expansion, were to continue as planned, though some adjustments might be expected.
• Expected Production Start: The project is now expected to start production around 2025.

Investment and Economic Impact

• Estimated Investment: The project involves an estimated investment of £4.8 billion ($6 billion).
• Job Creation: The project is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities for Saudi nationals, supporting Saudi Aramco’s localization efforts.

Production and Reserves

• Current Production: The Berri field currently produces around 250,000-300,000 bpd of crude oil.
• Projected Production: Upon completion, the project will add 250,000 bpd of Arabian Light crude oil and 40,000 bpd of associated hydrocarbon condensate.
• Reserves: The field has 11 oil-bearing reservoirs, and the expansion aims to enhance oil recovery to sustain long-term production.

Environmental and Technological Aspects

• Technologies: The project employs advanced technologies including enhanced oil recovery methods, horizontal drilling, and best-in-class well completion and reservoir management practices.
• Environmental Considerations: The project aims to reduce the carbon intensity of the crude oils produced, aligning with Saudi Aramco’s strategy to reduce emissions while meeting energy demand.

This expansion is a significant step in Saudi Aramco’s efforts to maintain its production capacity and meet growing global energy demands while incorporating sustainable practices.