RasGas Alpha

RasGas Alpha Oil and Gas Field Profile

Location

The RasGas Alpha Oil and Gas Field is located offshore, approximately 100 kilometres from Doha, Qatar. The exact coordinates are approximately 26.5712, 51.8521 (WGS 84).

Project Details

• Status: Operating
• Operator: QatarEnergy
• Owner: QatarEnergy
• Production Start Year: 1999
• The field is part of the larger North Field Oil and Gas Complex in Qatar.

Production and Reserves

• Gas Production:
  • 11,369.11 million cubic meters per year (2019)
  • 10,335.55 million cubic meters per year (2020).
• Condensate Production:
  • 11.53 million barrels per year (2019)
  • 0.03 million barrels per year (2020).
• The field produces gas and condensate using 15 production wells and two wellhead platforms, namely WHP-1 and WHP-2.

Field Operations

• The RasGas Alpha complex was commissioned in 1999 and is one of the key facilities within the North Field, alongside North Field Alpha (NFA) and North Field Bravo (NFB) complexes.
• The field produces approximately 1.2 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd) of gas.

Infrastructure and Facilities

• The field includes two wellhead platforms and is connected to onshore processing facilities.
• The gas and condensate are transported through pipelines to the Ras Laffan Industrial City for further processing and export.

Partnerships and Agreements

• RasGas, the operating entity, is a joint venture involving Qatar Petroleum and other international partners, although for the RasGas Alpha field, QatarEnergy is the primary operator and owner.
• There are significant upstream investments made by Qatar Petroleum and other partners like ExxonMobil to support the LNG production and transportation from the field.

Environmental and Technological Aspects

• While the RasGas Alpha field itself does not have specific details on carbon capture and sequestration, it is part of Qatar’s broader efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The nearby North Field South project, for example, includes a large carbon capture and sequestration facility to reduce GHG emissions.

Workforce and Local Impact

• RasGas, as an employer, has a significant role in Qatar’s workforce, with over 50% of its employees being Qatari nationals. The company has embraced the Strategic Qatarization plan to increase local employment.

Historical Context

• The North Field, where RasGas Alpha is located, was discovered in 1971 and is the largest single non-associated gas reservoir in the world. Commercial exploration began in 1991, with the North Field Alpha complex being the first to be commissioned.

In summary, the RasGas Alpha Oil and Gas Field is a critical component of Qatar's energy production, operating within the vast North Field complex and contributing significantly to the country's LNG and condensate output.