Detailed Engineering Services for the Hail & Ghasha Development Project in the UAE

Project Background

The Hail & Ghasha Development (HGD) Project is of strategic importance to the United Arab Emirates, aiming to develop the untapped oil and gas reserves from the highly sour Hail and Ghasha fields. Set to commence production by late 2026, this monumental project will enable the sustainable production of 1 billion standard cubic feet per day (BSCFD) of natural gas and capture 1.52 million tonnes of CO2 per year, significantly enhancing the UAE’s energy security and sustainability.

Our client, a leading EPC company involved in the HGD Project, awarded Penspen a contract to provide support services related to the detailed design of offsite pipelines connecting various terminals and the procurement services for components under pipeline battery limits.

Services

By kicking off the detailed engineering activities as part of early works, Penspen ensured that the demanding schedule for detailed engineering, procurement, and construction stayed on track. Remarkably, our experts completed this phase in just two months, enabling the client to begin procurement activities without delay.

During the detailed engineering phase, Penspen tackled multi-discipline engineering for pipelines transporting various products. Special consideration was given to the CO2 and sulphur pipelines, which had unique design challenges.

Penspen also supported the client with flow assurance studies. Despite the challenges posed by limited information, Penspen extended its team and leveraged its UK-based Centre of Engineering Excellence (CEE) to complete these critical studies. A metallurgy study report for the Dense Phase CO2 pipeline from the FEED stage was also reviewed and updated by the CEE, which included fracture control and propagation assessment as one of the notable contributions to the challenging design requirements for the CO2 pipeline.

Our dedicated team in the Middle East contributed significantly by producing specifications for the systems essential for sulphur pipeline design and installation and providing the necessary technical support to onboard specialist vendors and insulation vendors, ensuring the design met ongoing project requirements.

During the engineering phase, a strategic adjustment to the sulphur pipeline was introduced to align with evolving business priorities. Penspen worked in close collaboration with the EPC contractor to assess alternative routing options and finalize the preferred solution, now under detailed design development. Through proactive coordination and timely support, our team enabled seamless integration of this change with minimal impact on the overall project schedule and procurement activities, reinforcing our commitment to delivering value and flexibility for our clients.

Result

With the support of Penspen’s expertise, our client can now successfully progress to the next phase of the project. Commenting on the project, Arun Behl, Head of Sales & Marketing – East Region said: “Penspen remains committed to the H&G Detailed Engineering for Pipeline Services, providing ongoing, timely technical support and expertise, aligning with the client’s priorities and project schedule requirements until the project’s successful completion. This project is a significant milestone in pipeline services, showcasing our capability to handle large-scale engineering challenges effectively.”

Christopher Rene Dos Ramos, Director of Projects – Middle East & Africa added: “Penspen is proud to continue supporting our clients as the Hail & Ghasha project advances through engineering completion and into construction.  This milestone reflects a shared commitment to the UAE’s vision of gas self-sufficiency and net zero emissions.  By leveraging our global expertise and strong local presence, we remain focused on delivering safe, efficient, and high-quality solutions that create lasting value and help our clients achieve their strategic objectives.”