ADNOC JV lets contract to progress Belbazem block development

Al Yasat Petroleum Operations Co. Ltd. has let a $744-million contract for full field development of the Belbazem offshore block to the National Petroleum Construction Co. (NPCC). The block, which lies 120 km northwest of Abu Dhabi city, consists of Belbazem, Umm Al Salsal, and Umm Al Dholou fields.

The award is part of ADNOC’s efforts to maximize value from all Abu Dhabi fields as it expands oil production capacity to 5 million b/d by 2030.

The scope of the award covers engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities for offshore facilities required to enable full production capacity of 45,000 b/d light crude with about 35°API gravity and 27 MMscfd associated gas from Belbazem.

The project includes three offshore wellhead towers, one in each of the block’s three fields, interconnecting subsea pipelines, and cables to Zirku Island some 60 km from Belbazem. It also covers development of greenfield facilities for water injection, produced water treatment, gas compression, and associated utilities, as well as brownfield works for tie-in to existing infrastructure at the island.

Leading up to the award, Al Yasat undertook a front-end engineering design (FEED) competition and reduced the originally scheduled tender time by up to 12 months and enabled capex savings of about $190 million (OGJ Online, July 29, 2019). First oil is expected in 2023.

Al Yasat is a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. and joint venture with China National Petroleum Corp. ADNOC and CNPC hold 60% and 40% stakes in Al Yasat, respectively.