Abu Dhabi: Dolphin Energy will start supplying natural gas from Qatar to Dubai within two weeks, the company said yesterday.
The Abu Dhabi-based company is currently testing its gas receiving and distribution facilities at Taweelah, located between the capital and Jebel Ali.
As soon as the testing is successfully completed, Dolphin will start supplying up to 400 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day to Dubai.
Pegged as the Middle East's leading gas project, Dolphin will initially receive gas from Qatar Petroleum (QP) for the export pipeline connecting the two countries.
Once Dolphin begins pumping its own gas this summer from Qatar's Ras Laffan field, the early gas deliveries from QP will come to an end.
No more details were available about the temporary gas deal.
Abdullah Al Attiyah, the Qatari Minister of Energy, told Gulf News in February that Dolphin gas will arrive in the UAE before the end of June, adding that there were no expected delays.
A Dolphin spokesperson said yesterday that by undertaking this early commissioning programme, many weeks of commissioning work will no longer be required in the summer.
The Dolphin project involves the production and processing of natural gas from Qatar's North Field, and transportation of the dry gas by sub-sea export pipeline to the UAE.
Long term customers for Dolphin gas include Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, Union Water and Electricity Authority, Dubai Supply Authority, and, from 2008, Oman Oil Company.
Each has signed a gas supply agreement with Dolphin Energy for 25 years.
Dolphin Energy is owned 51 per cent by Abu Dhabi's investment arm, Mubadala Development Company, and 24.5 per cent each by Total of France and Occidental Petroleum of the US.
