The Ruya Development Project (Package 12) in Qatar, being implemented by L&T Energy Hydrocarbon (LTEH), got rolling with the first steel cutting ceremony hosted in November 2024. The engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPCIC) package pertains to the expansion of Qatar’s largest oil field Al-Shaheen. Ruya means 'vision' in Arabic. 

 
Operated by Qatar’s North Oil Company (NOC), Al-Shaheen is a conventional offshore oil reservoir, approximately 70 km north-northeast of Ras Laffan. It overlays the Pre-Khuff North Field, which is the world’s largest non-associated gas field (a gas field that does not produce crude oil).

 

The steel cutting ceremony, hosted at LTEH’s Modular Fabrication Yard at Sohar in Oman, signifies the commencement of fabrication for Package 12.

 

The event was graced by NOC’s Frédéric Paux (CEO), Vinod Singh (VP, Major Projects), Shanthakumar Rajenthran (Ruya Project Manager) and Loic Delebecque (Technical & JV Manager, Al-Shaheen – TotalEnergies). From L&T, were present Subramanian Sarma (Whole-time Director & President (Energy) – L&T), E S Sathyanarayanan (COO – Middle East, LTEH), and Parthasarathi Chatterjee (EVP & Head – Offshore, LTEH).

 

Addressing the gathering, Mr Sarma emphasised L&T’s pivotal role in advancing Qatar’s energy infrastructure.

 

Al-Shaheen is undergoing an extensive development to enhance its production capacity. L&T’s scope includes setting up a Riser Platform to be linked to the Bridge & Electrical (BE) Platform, integration of risers and J-tubes, and brownfield jobs at the existing BE Platform and Electrical Distribution points, involving tie-ins and network integration.

 

The package has already made significant progress such as completion of 60% model review, hazard identification, hazard & operability study, safety integrity level, and constructability workshops. Up to the first steel cutting, the project recorded 6.6 million safe manhours.
 
As the steel sparks flew at the Sohar Yard, the steel cutting ceremony not only marked the commencement of fabrication but also demonstrated L&T’s resolve to build a sustainable-energy future.