Production halted at Balhaf LNG terminal

Yemen LNG has confirmed that a 38 in. pipeline which links the Block 18 gas field with the Balhaf LNG liquefaction terminal was severed on 30 March by militants in an area 40 km north of the terminal.

The attack on the pipeline is thought to be an act of retaliation for a US drone attack which killed five suspected Al-Qaeda militants.

LNG production has stopped but the loss of production is expected to be limited to four cargoes as the LNG Plant was due to shutdown on 15 April for annual maintenance.

It is very difficult to protect the pipeline in the sparsely populated country and the country has been in a state of near civil war for the last six months, which has made it easier for militants to operate in the country and attack the pipeline.

Last year the same pipeline was sabotaged but the company was still able to make all of its scheduled deliveries by rescheduling annual maintenace to coincide with the repair on the damaged pipeline.

Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/drilling-and-production/02042012/yemen_lng%E2%80%99s_balhaf_terminal_suspends_production_after_pipeline_sabotage/