Dolphin pipeline project to begin pumping to UAE

Abu Dhabi: The Dolphin pipeline project will proceed with pumping 2 billion cubic feet per day of dry gas to the UAE in the next quarter according to a senior official.

"The agreed 2 billion cbft will start flowing as from next quarter. However, we are negotiating with Qatar an additional 1.2 to 1.4 billion cubic feet, and accordingly expect a total of 3.4 billion cubic feet to flow through the pipeline," said Khaldoon Bin Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi's Executive Affairs Authority.

Bin Mubarak was addressing an investor relations forum organised by General Electric, and attended by representatives of major financial and industrial powerhouses in the US including Morgan Stanley, Solomon Brothers, and many others.

He explained that there were no territorial objections from other countries regarding the project, hinting at Saudi Arabia's previous reservations, and that the project will start on schedule.

"We are exporting and importing natural gas at the same time, because we are mainly driven by commercial concerns," he added.

The forum, intended for introducing Abu Dhabi's economy to the participants was also addressed by Saeed Al Hajeri, executive director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and chairman of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, and Waleed Al Mokarrab, chief operating officer of Mubadla Development Company.