His Majesty King Hamad opened the new 350,000-bpd (barrel per day) AB-4 pipeline between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia that will replace the existing 230,000 bpd link, reported state news agency BNA.

The project was launched during an event held at Shaikh Isa Air Base to celebrate over 70 years of energy co-operation between the two kingdoms.

Addressing the gathering, His Majesty said relations with Saudi Arabia are underpinned by centuries-old ties, common destiny and a strong bond between its people.

The pipeline project is a vital economic milestone which will form the nexus for further integrated projects, the King added.

The AB-4, which will replace the existing 73-year-old pipeline system, is the only current venture in the GCC linking two countries.

His Majesty lauded the longstanding cooperation between the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) and Saudi Aramco, since 1945, and added that the new pipeline would serve to ensure this relationship continues to deepen for years to come.

Oil Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa said the 112-km-long AB-4 pipeline will have a capacity averaging 358,000 barrels per day.

Its launch signals the biggest expansion in the history of Bahrain’s oil refinery – a massive project which is expected to be completed within four years, he stated.