Pipeliners

03 April 2007 - Upstream onLine – Gazprom's pipeline and construction unit Stroytransgaz has sealed a $100 million contract to build an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia. Stroytransgaz worked out final details of the agreement over the weekend with Saudi Aramco in Dharan, the Novosti news agency reported. Ali al-Ajmi, vice president of Saudi Aramco, said "a powerful Russian organisation having its own advanced technology and a big working experience both in Russia and abroad" would be helpful to Saudi Arabia. The 320 kilometre Sheyba-Abkayk pipeline is to cross the Rub al-Khali, one of the most difficult environments in the world with punishing summer temperatures, quicksand and dust storms. Work is expected to start in June with completion expected in 18 months.