By Reuters: Siemens announced it has signed a three-year service contract with Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations ( Adco ) for the maintenance of the strategic Habshan-Fujairah crude oil pipeline’s automation and telecom system.

“Thethree-year service contract is for maintenance and operational support services. Siemens designed, engineered, installed and commissioned entire automation and telecom system for strategic pipeline. Siemens will train ADCO’s ( Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations ) workforce on operation and maintenance of bespoke system,” the company said.

Adco is the pipeline’s operator. The terms of Siemens’ maintenance contract includes the option of a two-year extension. The announcement was made during the opening day of Abu Dhabi Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec), which started in the capital yesterday. The four day event brings together experts from the global energy sector to discuss the various challenges and opportunities in the industry and to share their technical knowhow.

The nearly 380-kilometre Habshan-Fujairah oil pipeline runs from Abu Dhabi to the Fujairah. With a nominal capacity of about 1.5 million barrels a day, the pipeline began pumping crude in June this year for the first time and presents the UAE with an alternative to shipping oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

“The signing of this service contract is a prime example of our commitment to the development of the region’s infrastructure,” said Dietmar Siersdorfer, chief executive, Energy, Siemens Middle East.