BARMER: The construction work of India’s first heated and insulated pipeline and a gas pipeline from Barmer in Rajasthan to a coastal location in Jamnagar district of Gujarat began on Tuesday. The pipe laying activity for the landmark pipeline project f ormally commenced in the presence of Cairn India Chairman Sir Bill Gmmell through a traditional puja ceremony, at Bevta in the Banaskantha district, about 200 km from Ahmedabad in Gujarat, according to an official spokesman here.

The integrated engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the pipeline is being carried out by Larsen & Toubro, while the pipes have come from the Jindal Saw Mill at Mundra.

At peak production, the Mangala, Bhagyam and Aishwariya fields would aim to produce 175,000 barrels of oil per day and boost India’s domestic crude production by approximately 25 per cent. The oil field development work at Cairn India’s discovery in Raj asthan is proceeding on schedule. The integrated upstream and pipeline development is on course to produce oil from Mangala in the second half of 2009.

The 600 km 24 inch diameter insulated pipeline for sending of heated crude oil, will run from Barmer in Rajasthan to a coastal location in Gujarat.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had conveyed its agreement on 30 April 2008 to shift the delivery port of Rajasthan Crude under the RJ-ON-90/1 Production sharing contract from Barmer to Salaya at the Gujarat coast. – PTI

Source: thehindubusinessline.com