ID :
37811
Mon, 12/29/2008 - 12:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/37811
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Sajaa Gas retrenches 20 in cost optimisation drive
Sajaa Gas Private Limited Company (SajGas), a subsidiary of Dana Gas, has laid off at least 20 of its staff, Emirates Business learned.
According to a spokesperson from SajGas, "less than 20 contractors" plus a "smaller number of employees" have been released from service, since the commissioning of the plant is complete. He says the cuts are in line with "industry trends of cost optimisation".
A statement from SajGas said: "Over the past few months, SajGas has successfully completed all the pre-commissioning work necessary to operate its gas processing plant by a professional team. The plant is now in preservation mode waiting for the commencement of gas deliveries and has sufficient operations and maintenance staff to look after the plant and the facilities. Before the commencement of gas deliveries, SajGas management will review the organisational structure and mobilise any additional manpower if necessary."
To date, Iran and Crescent Petroleum – largest private shareholder in Dana Gas, which owns SajGas – remain at odds over gas prices.
"The pipeline is ready but the gas is not coming. The company has already lost millions of dirhams in the past years just waiting for the gas to come," said a source at the company, who did not wish to be named.
Crescent signed an agreement in 2001 to import natural gas from Iran's offshore Salman field through a pipeline it had jointly built with Iran. It was proposed that Iran supply 600 million cubic feet per day of gas to the UAE company.
SajGas – a joint venture company established in mid-2004 by the Government of Sharjah and Crescent Petroleum, along with six prominent GCC investors – was in charge of the construction and commissioning of the plant that would process and distribute the gas to the UAE.
According to a spokesperson from SajGas, "less than 20 contractors" plus a "smaller number of employees" have been released from service, since the commissioning of the plant is complete. He says the cuts are in line with "industry trends of cost optimisation".
A statement from SajGas said: "Over the past few months, SajGas has successfully completed all the pre-commissioning work necessary to operate its gas processing plant by a professional team. The plant is now in preservation mode waiting for the commencement of gas deliveries and has sufficient operations and maintenance staff to look after the plant and the facilities. Before the commencement of gas deliveries, SajGas management will review the organisational structure and mobilise any additional manpower if necessary."
To date, Iran and Crescent Petroleum – largest private shareholder in Dana Gas, which owns SajGas – remain at odds over gas prices.
"The pipeline is ready but the gas is not coming. The company has already lost millions of dirhams in the past years just waiting for the gas to come," said a source at the company, who did not wish to be named.
Crescent signed an agreement in 2001 to import natural gas from Iran's offshore Salman field through a pipeline it had jointly built with Iran. It was proposed that Iran supply 600 million cubic feet per day of gas to the UAE company.
SajGas – a joint venture company established in mid-2004 by the Government of Sharjah and Crescent Petroleum, along with six prominent GCC investors – was in charge of the construction and commissioning of the plant that would process and distribute the gas to the UAE.
