Abu Dhabi’s onshore ADNOC concession renewals may be getting all the attention (see p2), but the future of UAE oil production lies firmly on the offshore, which is set to add over 600,000 b/d by end-2018. Further out, offshore output is poised to break through the 2mn b/d mark, if a study currently underway to expand Upper Zakum capacity to 1mn b/d is greenlighted, MEES learns.
The offshore could also see debut production from the Hail oil field, included last year in the Abu Dhabi Oil Company (ADOC) concession which runs to 2042. ADOC brings together Japan’s Cosmo Oil 63%, Nippon 31.5%, Tepco 1.8%, Kansai 1.8%, and Chubu 1.8%. Pre-qualifying has also begun for sour Hail gas. While no production target has been set, state oil firm ADNOC is eyeing around 400mn cfd. The Ghasha field, currently unassigned, is another potential major offshore project. In-place resources are high, but development presents both environmental and geological challenges. (CONTINUED - 752 WORDS)
