SNOC, Eni make UAE gas, condensate discovery

Sharjah National Oil Corp. (SNOC) and Eni SPA have begun studies to fast track exploitation of a gas and condensate discovery in the onshore Mahani exploration prospect in the Area B concession of Sharjah (UAE). The discovery comes one year after the concession award as part of the first International Competitive Exploration Licensing Round conducted by the Petroleum Council of Sharjah (OGJ Online, Jan. 14, 2019).

Mahani-1 was drilled to 14,597 ft MD and encountered a thick gas-bearing limestone reservoir in the Thamama of Lower Cretaceous age. The well was tested with flow rates up to 50 MMscfd lean gas and associated condensate. Additional appraisal drilling will further assess the size of the discovery. The next phase of exploration will include the subthrust Jurassic and Cretaceous plays of the Arabian carbonate platform in the inner thrust zone of the Oman fold belt and will require seismic imaging.

Sharjah National Oil Corp. (SNOC) is operator with a 50% interest. Eni holds the remainder.

Eni’s presence in the Middle East includes current exploration acreage in the UAE alone amounting to more than 12,000 sq km gross, comprising the onshore of Sharjah and offshore areas of Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. Eni holds three offshore development and production concessions and two offshore exploration concessions in Abu Dhabi with current equity production of around 50,000 b/d. Eni is also a shareholder with a 20% equity interest in ADNOC Refining.