1 MB pdf - Saudi Aramco

We operate 10,668 miles (17,169 km) of pipeline totransport oil, gas and refined products from productionplants to downstream processing plants, export terminalsand refineries. The Pipeline Integrity Managementprogram continues to be a critical success factor inensuring the reliability of our pipeline network.More than 1,800 miles (3,000 km) of pipeline wereinspected in-line with high-resolution instrument-scrapingtechnologies. This ongoing inspection program providesessential data for pipeline repair and rehabilitationprograms.We commissioned the Pipeline Monitoring Center toensure smooth, efficient management of the pipelinenetwork. This center is the collection point for criticaldata, transferred from across the entire network.Driven in part by our slate of mega-projects, the pipelinenetwork is growing rapidly, with more than 1,400 miles(2,300 km) of new pipeline forecast.In 2007, we will begin the Khurais DownstreamPipeline project, which involves laying six pipelines forstabilized crude, NGL, sour gas and fuel gas to supportthe Khurais increment. We also plan to expand theShaybah-Abqaiq Pipeline capacity to 750,000 bpd insupport of the Shaybah crude oil expansion project.In 2006, Vela International Marine Limited, our whollyowned shipping subsidiary, completed more than 1,000voyages, transporting roughly 1.8 million bpd of crudeoil to customers in the United States and Europe. Thedomestic fleet carried more than half a million bpd ofcrude oil and refined products between Kingdom ports.During 2006, Vela took delivery of two new producttankers, the Altarf Star and Zaurak Star. The tankers areeach 49,000 deadweight tons, 656 feet (200 m) longand capable of carrying roughly 348,000 barrels ofrefined products. Vela also signed contracts with ashipbuilding yard in the Republic of Korea to build sixnew double-hull VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carriers) tobe delivered between 2008 and 2009. In addition, fouradditional double-hull VLCCs will also be built.THE ALTARF STAR AND THE ZAURAK STAR PRODUCT TANKERS ARE THENEWEST ADDITIONS TO VELA’S FLEET.In recognition of Vela’s work in developing Saudi seaman’sdocumentation consistent with the International MaritimeOrganization's globally recognized “White List”requirements, Vela received the first six Saudi seagoingseaman’s books issued by the Saudi Ministry of Transport.Two young Saudi captains earned their Class 1 MasterMariner Certificates, one of the highest qualifications inthe maritime industry.The U.S. Coast Guard notified Vela that the companyachieved the prestigious “Quality Shipping for 21stCentury” designation for all 19 of its VLCC vessels. Thisis a designation received by less than 10 percent of theforeign-flagged ships operating in the United States. Inaddition, 17 Vela vessels received awards from the U.S.Coast Guard for their Automated Merchant VesselReporting system.ANNUAL REVIEW 2006 27