British oilfield services provider Petrofac has started work on the $3.4bn second phase of the South Yoloten gas project in Turkmenistan for state-owned gas company Turkmengas.

Upon completion, the South Yoloten field, which is situated approximately 400km south east of Ashgabat, is expected to export 20 billion cubic metres per annum (bcma) of gas.

For the second phase of the project, Petrofac will provide engineering, procurement and commissioning work on a lump-sum basis for a 10bcma gas processing plant along with the infrastructure and pipelines for the entire 20bcma development.

The feed gas from the field contains up to 6% H2S and the development will include gas treatment and sulphur handling facilities, along with well pad facilities, gathering facilities, infrastructure and utilities, condensate processing, and storage and export.