EN 
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In accordance with our strategic planning and development approach to meet the technical requirements of the company and enhance production and export operations, PEPA has initiated the construction of two additional crude oil storage tanks adjacent to the existing ones at the Central Production Unit (CPU). These new tanks have been meticulously designed to match the capacity, dimensions, and engineering specifications of the current Main Crude Oil Tanks, adhering to the latest API 650 code.
We are delighted to announce that the civil work for one of these tanks, boasting a capacity of 55,000 barrels, has been successfully completed. Our current focus has shifted to the installation of electrical systems, instruments, and valves, essential components for the tank’s operation. This phase of the project is anticipated to take a few more months to ensure precise installation while adhering to stringent safety measures.
Crude oil storage tanks play a pivotal role in storing untreated and unrefined oil, facilitating its transportation to various destinations, including refinery units for processing into finished products or export stations. These tanks typically feature a cylindrical steel shell with a cone- or dome-shaped roof permanently attached to the tank shell. Our storage tanks are meticulously constructed using robust welding techniques to ensure both liquid and vapor-tight properties.
Due to its strategic location within the system, this tank will serve as a logistical midstream link between the upstream (exploration and production) and downstream (refining facility) processes or as a storage unit for gasoline from the Marib Refinery.
The construction and engineering of storage tanks necessitate a high level of expertise to guarantee safety and protection. Our dedicated SEPOC engineering team is providing vigilant supervision throughout the process, with a primary focus on safety measures such as alarms, high-high level interlocks, and preventing the overfilling of hazardous materials to avert potential spillage. We acknowledge the critical importance of maintaining the integrity of tank venting systems to prevent any potential catastrophic damage.
As we move forward, PEPA is committed to completing the installation of electrical systems, instruments, and valves for the newly constructed crude oil storage tank. We remain dedicated to delivering a state-of-the-art facility that complies with the highest industry standards and contributes to the efficient and safe operations of our company.
Stay tuned for further updates on the progress of this project, and we eagerly anticipate the successful completion of the new crude oil storage tank at the Central Production Unit, enhancing our capabilities to meet the industry’s growing demands.
NEWS & ACTIVITIES
Block-18 Production Facilities
Oil is processed through two primary facilities in the Marib area: the Central Production Unit (CPU) and the Kamil Production Unit (KPU).
Al Raja, Al Shura, and Raydan are three smaller facilities connected to the CPU and KPU facilities. SEPOC receives crude oil from JHOC, OMV, and Calvalley for processing and export through our pipeline.
SEPOC also supplies the Marib Refinery Company with 10,000 bbls per day.
CPU serves as the central collection point for all SEPOC facilities. It houses three gas plants, two cryogenic units, and one lean oil plant capable of processing crude oil through vessels arranged according to pressures, ranging from over 1000 psi to 1 atm.
As oil from each vessel is metered to lower pressures, separated gas is directed to headers for transfer to the gas plants or compression for injection. Water is collected and pumped to designated disposal wells.
This process effectively separates oil, gas, and water while eliminating salts and sediments from the oil. A freshwater injection system is in place to inject fresh water into wells and pipelines for sediment removal.
The CPU is the primary gathering processing facility for Block-18 Fields. It connects to 416 wells through production and injection flow lines, with numerous production manifolds.
Sixteen fields, including Alif, Azal, Wadi Bana, Jabal Barat, Jabal Sama, Jabal Samadan, EL-Wehada Noqum, Wadi Saba, Shura, Yazen, and Mawza, flow to the CPU’s six process trains: A, B, C, D, E, and F trains.
The CPU process facility includes five main production manifolds: North Manifold (NM), South Manifold (SM), Old Expansion Manifold (OEM), New Expansion Manifold (NEM), and New Expansion Sapar.
SEPOC Fields Production
KPU consists of a production train with a test separator and seven high-pressure vessels, water disposal pumps, and a freshwater system. KPU serves as the collection station for Al-Raja and other small, remote fields.
Al-Raja is a high-pressure facility, with pressures exceeding 5,000 psi. It comprises a manifold, testing vessels, separators, and one compressor.
Raydan, a low-pressure facility, operates at less than 1000 psi and includes vessels at various pressures and nine Ajax compressors for gas injection. It also houses water pumps for disposal and crude transfer pumps to transport oil to the CPU. Raydan features a 15,000 bbls storage tank and a 5,000 bbls water tank, in addition to complete personnel accommodation facilities.
Kamil Production Unit (KPU)
KPU is equipped with a production train featuring a test separator and seven high-pressure vessels, water disposal pumps, and a freshwater system. It also houses two cryogenic gas plants and four Nuovo Pignone compressors for gas handling. KPU acts as the collection station for Al-Raja and other small, remote fields and includes comprehensive accommodation facilities, including recreational and sporting amenities.
Al-Raja
Al-Raja, operating at pressures exceeding 5,000 psi, includes a manifold, testing vessels, separators, and two compressors: a Nuovo Pignone and a Cooper Rolls Royce. The facility offers complete personnel accommodation facilities.
Raydan
Raydan, operating at pressures less than 1000 psi, houses vessels with different pressures and nine Ajax compressors for gas injection. It also features water pumps for disposal and crude transfer pumps to transport oil to the CPU. The facility includes a 15,000 bbls storage tank and a 5,000 bbls water tank, in addition to full personnel accommodation facilities.
Al-Shura
Al-Shura utilizes six Ajax compressors, numerous separators of varying pressures, and a freshwater injection system.
Field Production
The Field Operations department is divided into three primary sub-departments:
- Production Department
The production department encompasses three main areas:
A. Field Operations: Field operations oversee all active wells, including those for production, disposal, injection, and water. Monitoring all wells (totaling more than 600) occurs two to three times daily. Well cleaning, along with flow line maintenance through pump trucks and coiled tubing units, is also conducted. The Field Operation sections are managed at the CPU and KPU, with all other fields operating through these units, depending on distance.
B. Facility Operations: Facility operations manage all crude separation processes, effectively separating oil, gas, and water. This department is also responsible for utility and power generation operations.
C. Workover Group: The workover group handles well workover and completion tasks following drilling. It consists of an engineering group at the CPU that oversees all drilling rig activities. Their scope includes addressing mechanical issues with wells, such as leaking packers, casings, and tubing. The workover group also addresses well formation issues that may cause non-productivity or reduced efficiency. These three Field Operation sub-departments fall under the supervision of a production superintendent. The superintendent directs field supervisors, production foremen, and shift supervisors, and manages rigs through the senior production engineer.
SEPOC’s Accomplishments in Well Maintenance Operations: A Look into Four Significant Achievements in 2018 November 20, 2018
On the occasion of the establishment of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Authority (PEPA), we extend our congratulations and present four significant and pioneering achievements for the year 2018, accomplished by the Engineering Production Group and the Well Maintenance Excavators Group since the resumption of oil and gas well maintenance operations.
Firstly, extensive work was carried out in well cementing, involving the procurement of cement and related mixing materials, as well as the local preparation of necessary equipment. Cement plugs were strategically placed to secure some wells, preserving their production, and facilitating gas injection in line with specified programs. This achievement is remarkable, as it entailed the involvement of foreign service companies with their overseas experts, resulting in substantial financial costs.
Secondly, the replacement of production pipelines was undertaken due to corrosion and rust, attributed to aging, which posed considerable risks that were challenging to control. While foreign specialized companies usually undertake such work, this accomplishment was made possible due to the dedicated efforts of a national team of excavators specializing in well-digging equipment maintenance. They took on the responsibility to repair and replace corroded and damaged production pipelines, relying on the support of Allah and the capabilities of their Yemeni staff members, who still require further advanced training in this field.
Thirdly, some devices and equipment utilized in oil well completion were adapted for the purpose of well security and production maintenance, even under the challenging conditions faced by the nation.
Fourthly, significant strides were made in the field of well cementing and maintenance through the hard work of a maintenance excavator team that successfully executed several crucial projects. These accomplishments have significantly enhanced production efficiency while reducing costs.
In summary, despite the challenging circumstances faced by the nation, four notable and groundbreaking achievements were realized in 2018, spanning the areas of well cementing, production pipeline replacement, device and equipment adaptation, and maintenance needs. These achievements were made possible through the dedication and hard work of the Engineering Production Group and the Well Maintenance Excavators Group.
Eng. Abdu Ahmed Hassan.
Workover Operations – Challenges and Achievements October 19, 2022
The question arises, “How can PEPA’s workover activities persist during times of conflict and in the absence of well cementing and other well service companies in the current conditions affecting the company and the country?”
The succinct response to this question is a single word: “innovation.”
In reality, these challenges didn’t just hinder the workover team; they provided an opportunity for the team to ingeniously create new ideas and creative solutions that might not have emerged without these exceptionally tough circumstances. This aligns with the saying, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”
These creative solutions, which have been continuously flowing since the resumption of workover rig operations in mid-May 2018, have not only sustained regular workover activities but have also improved their quality, efficiency, and nature.
With no new well drilling operations due to the changed philosophy of PEPA’s workover operations (there’s no replacement for any well), it became essential to repair any well through any feasible and safe procedure. This shift led to the invention of new workover practices previously unpracticed in PEPA’s fields.