Major Gas Supply Operation Boosts Grid Stability at Ruwais Power Plant
Last night, Mellitah Oil & Gas’s technical teams successfully implemented an innovative natural gas feed-in process known as “Backfeeding,” sending gas from the Mellitah Industrial Complex to the Ruwais power plant.
The initial feed rate reached about 25 million cubic feet per day, bringing the total transferred to an estimated 440,000 standard cubic meters per day. The capacity could then be gradually increased to as much as 100 million cubic feet per day.
This exceptional achievement, carried out in line with the directives and direct oversight of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, allowed the General Electricity Company to immediately shut down its diesel-powered turbines and switch to natural gas-powered turbines. In the first phase, the project generated up to 100 megawatts just before the summer peak. It also provides the electricity grid with greater operational flexibility and significantly reduces liquid fuel consumption costs.
In this context, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NOC reaffirmed the NOC’s commitment to supplying the gas needed to run the Ruwais station at full production capacity, more than 750 megawatts, despite the ongoing challenges and limited resources. He also praised the high flexibility and strong technical performance of national teams in addressing complex operational bottlenecks. Stressing that the sector will continue implementing its strategic plan, he said efforts will be intensified to provide the support and resources required to develop both discovered and undeveloped gas fields, meeting local market demand and exporting any surplus to global markets.