Project to welcome the 11th National Party Congress
The inauguration of the project “Associated Gas Collection and Gaslift at Rong–Doi Moi Oilfields” by the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN) in late 2010 has demonstrated the project management capacity of PetroVietnam, PV Gas, the Southeast Gas Project Management Board (PVSEG), and Vietnamese contractors—particularly the general contractor Vietsovpetro (VSP)—in carrying out petroleum projects that were previously mainly implemented by foreign contractors.
The project began in 3/2009. Initially scheduled for completion in 5/2011, under the leadership of PVN and the determination of the investor, contractors, engineers, and workers, the project was completed over five months ahead of schedule. It is one of PVN’s ten key projects in 2010, part of the development strategy of PV Gas, and also a project to welcome the 11th National Party Congress.
Mr. Bui Ngoc Quang, Head of the Southeast Gas Project Management Board, stated: The objective of the project is to collect associated gas at Rong and Doi Moi oilfields for use in oil exploitation by gaslift at these fields and at Bach Ho, thereby increasing the volume of gas transported ashore from the central compression platform at Bach Ho. The project has contributed to the recovery of associated gas at newly exploited fields, reduced emissions, protected the environment, and added gas to the existing pipeline system to ensure national energy security.
The total investment of the project is USD 149.6 million, with a maximum collection capacity of 0.9 million m³ of gas per day (about 328 million m³/year). The project includes major components such as topsides, jackets, flare towers, accommodation blocks, and more than 42 km of subsea pipelines, located 120 km southeast of Vung Tau city.
The effectiveness of promoting domestic resources and prioritizing in-house services
Although the project started in 3/2009 with an approved completion date of 5/2011, thanks to the determination and efforts of PVSEG and VSP, on 9/12/2010 the first gas was introduced into the gaslift system—5 months and 22 days ahead of schedule. This early start generated an additional USD 34 million in revenue. Furthermore, by adopting a two-phase pipeline-laying initiative, after completing the Fast Track phase on 10/6/2010 (allowing early gas injection), about 400,000 m³/day of gas was recovered, equivalent to USD 8.8 million.
The project employed 26 domestic contractors out of a total of 36, including 11 from the oil and gas sector. The extensive use of domestic contractors helped minimize tendering time and maximize the capacity of specialized oil and gas service providers, resulting in high-quality products.
The selection of VSP—a contractor with long-standing experience in offshore petroleum construction—as the general contractor clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of PVN’s policy of promoting domestic resources and prioritizing in-house services.
The achievements of the Rong–Doi Moi Associated Gas Collection and Gaslift Project are not only reflected in physical, technical, human, and financial capacities, but also in the dynamism, creativity, and efficiency of VSP’s staff, a unit currently undergoing strong growth in the oil and gas services sector.
Completing the project ahead of schedule and within the approved investment budget is proof of the decisive leadership of PetroVietnam, along with the extraordinary efforts of PVSEG and VSP. In parallel, PVSEG also launched emulation movements across its workforce to promote the oil and gas sector’s tradition of “solidarity, creativity, enthusiasm, and determination to excel in fulfilling the 2010 mission.” PetroVietnam, in coordination with VSP and subcontractors, organized a competition spirit to “Finish Ahead of Schedule,” celebrating the significant event of 2011—the 11th National Party Congress.
Key milestones of the Rong–Doi Moi Associated Gas Collection and Gaslift Project:
- 10/12/2008: Turnkey contract signed between investor PV Gas and turnkey general contractor VSP.
- 31/3/2009: PetroVietnam approved the project.
- Design work: About 1,500 design documents were completed and accepted on 30/11/2010.
- General contractor VSP implemented 32 procurement packages with a total value of over USD 94 million, ensuring timely delivery for construction.
- Subsea pipeline laying was divided into two phases. Phase 1 was completed, and gas introduced on 10/6/2010. Phase 2 was completed on 17/6/2010.
- Accommodation block construction started on 5/5/2010, completed on 12/11/2010, and accepted on 30/11/2010.
- Gas compression platform construction began on 5/3/2010; by 30/11/2010 construction, installation, and first gas testing were completed. Final acceptance on 21/12/2010.
- 9/12/2010: VSP officially introduced the first gas into the gaslift system.
(Dang Cong San Viet Nam, 7/1, Economics section, author K.V)
