The Dhahran-based state oil giant said on Sunday that the pipeline can provide 15 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. "It may later be expanded to 55 million cubic feet per day," said Ziyad Al-Murshid of Saudi Aramco.
Marafiq, a power and water utility serving Yanbu and Jubail, will operate the 9 kilometer-long network.
Al-Murshid said the pipeline project emphasizes the importance of using gas as an alternative energy to protect environment. The use of natural gas is expected to reduce the cost of production in local industries, enabling them to complete in both local and international markets.
Al-Murshid praised the team spirit among Aramco, Royal Commission and Marafiq employees. "It is this spirit that resulted in making this crucial project a reality," he said.
He said engineers in the three organizations have played a significant role in accomplishing the project by following international standards.
Aramco plans to increase the capacity of its Master Gas System (MGS) - to produce, process and distribute gas around the country - to 15.5 billion cubic feet per day by 2015 from 10.2 bcf/d in 2010.
