Energy
From The Report: Bahrain 2015
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Oil and gas remain key to Bahrain’s economy, with 87% of government revenues generated from hydrocarbons in 2012 and the oil sector growing robustly in 2013, posting 15% real GDP growth. While falling oil prices are a concern in the short term, the kingdom is looking to boost oil production in the medium term. Efforts are under way to double the output of the Bahrain field by 2020 through the use of enhanced oil recovery techniques while a new round of offshore exploration drilling is expected in 2015. Meanwhile plans were announced in 2014 for the kingdom’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, with the LNG regasification facility expected to import 3m tonnes per annum. Elsewhere, a major upgrade to the kingdom’s oil refinery on Sitra Island will ensure Bahrain remains competitive at a time when a number of similar expansions are taking place in the region.

This chapter contains interviews with Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, Minister of Energy; and Pete Bartlett, CEO, Bahrain Petroleum Company.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

New investments in Bahrain’s energy sector aim to overhaul power generation and increase oil production
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The year 2014 marked the 80th anniversary of oil exports in Bahrain. The resource was first discovered in the Bahrain field in October 1931, and in 1934 the nation began exporting, shipping 285,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil. Since then, however, production levels have fallen, but efforts are now under way to double output from this field to 100,000 bpd by 2020. This goal, while ambitious, seems quite achievable given increased drilling and the application of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques. This…

Interview

Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, Minister of Energy: Interview
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Interview:Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza Which specific policies is the ministry implementing with regard to the reduction of subsidies, both at the consumer and commercial level? ABDUL HUSSAIN BIN ALI MIRZA: The electricity consumption levels per capita in the kingdom have witnessed record high levels and averaged 11,000 KWh per capita over the past five years – the ninth-highest per capita consumption in the world – based on a 2012 World Bank study. This exceeds the global consumption…

Analysis

Bahrain upgrades its refinery capacity
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The Sitra Refinery began production in 1936, making it the Gulf’s oldest such facility, and the refinery has undergone frequent upgrades since then. Sitra produces around 260,000 barrels per day (bpd) of refined product. In 2013 the kingdom announced plans to expand the refinery, and at an estimated cost of $9bn the project will be the most expensive in the country’s history. The upgrade will help the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), the owner of the refinery, maintain market share at a time…

Interview

Pete Bartlett, CEO, Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco): Interview
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Interview:Pete Bartlett To what extent can ongoing investment in hydrocarbons go hand in hand with renewable and alternative energy development? Is Bapco able to leverage relationships with other players in order to achieve its sustainability goals? PETE BARTLETT: Our leaders understand the importance of building a more diverse and resilient economy. Oil and gas investment in Bahrain will continue to be very important, and the revenues generated will contribute to expanding the energy alternatives…

Analysis

Bahrain considers new options as demand for LNG increases
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Both power generation and much of the industrial sector in Bahrain are fuelled by natural gas, with the country producing 557.97bn standard cu feet (scf) of dry gas per annum, according to BP’s “Statistical Review of World Energy 2014”. Most of this comes from the Bahrain field, where natural gas is found associated with oil, and a small amount is produced as a by-product of the refining process. Bahrain has natural gas reserves of about 6.7trn scf, according to BP. At present rates,…

Analysis

Bahrain hopes to build new power plants and increase energy efficiency as energy consumption rises
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The state agency responsible for utilities, the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), is working on a vast upgrade of the 220-KV electrical transmission network, as well as an expansion of power generation capacity. While most of the new megawatts will come from the Al Dur phase two expansion, the EWA is also developing smaller-scale solar and waste-driven power generation plants to diversify the country’s energy mix. Upward Trend In 2013 countries around the world saw particularly high average…