Excellence in Environmental Technology and Stewardship — Manifa Mega-Project

Abstract

Completion of the Manifa field development mega-project marked the world's largest hydrocarbon production increment in a single phase. Just as significant as its considerably large production scale, the project involved several green initiatives, including broad-spectrum environment conservation and protection, air pollution controls, and coastal/marine protection. Manifa's coastal and ecologically sensitive location is a source of livelihood for local farmers and contains habitat for fish, shrimp, coral reefs, and endangered species. Consequent upon the richness of species in the zone, the field warranted a development solution that was a balance between environmental stewardship and operational excellence. During Manifa's field development, a critically important environmental strategy was also developed for the construction of the causeway, central processing facility, gas and oil separation, water injection, and cogeneration plants, and 15 offshore platforms for oil production and water injection, with associated subsea pipelines and power communication cables. An environmental impact assessment (EIA) was completed and a continuous environmental monitoring program (EMP) was implemented during dredging and disposal of dredged materials, prior to and during the construction location of 27 man-made islands to achieve the EIA's mitigation criteria and guidelines. Four (4) studies were also commissioned by the King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in collaboration with the Spanish research institute AZTI-Technalia. The successful grassroots development of Manifa, without sacrificing a responsibility to protect the environment, is a testimony to the careful integration of interdisciplinary approaches from project onception to completion; and from exploration to delivery of hydrocarbons to end users. Innovative solutions led to contractor partnering, a strong health, safety and environment (HSE) culture and an exemplary environmental awareness and conservation approach, which resulted in a successful project with a positive influence on Saudi Arabia, the region and other parts of the world.