State-led Petroleum Development Oman (PDO: Oman 60%; Shell 34%; Total 4%; Partex 2%) has awarded UK-based Petrofac a procurement service project for a $75mn pipeline at the 4.5tcf Mabrouk NE field.

Whilst of modest value itself, the 19-month project is crucial to developing Mabrouk NE, where PDO is currently carrying out exploration and appraisal work with the eventual aim of turning operations over to Shell and Total as part of an estimated $19bn integrated megaproject (MEES, 22 March). Shell and Total will operate the upstream work on a 75:25 basis. The former will pursue GTL and the latter a 1mn t/y LNG bunkering plant. (CONTINUED - 196 WORDS)