ADCO lets contract to boost Bab oil flow

By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Feb. 17 -- Abu Dhabi Co. for Onshore Operations (ADCO) has let contract to National Petroleum Construction Co. (NPCC) of Abu Dhabi for work that will increase oil production from onshore Northeast Bab field by 80,000 b/d.

The $683 million engineering, procurement, and construction contract covers development of Lower Cretaceous Habshan-2 and Thamama G zones. Bab field, on production since the 1960s and an important source of natural gas, is 150 km southwest of Abu Dhabi city (see map, OGJ, Aug. 3, 2009, p. 32).

Expansion of Bab oil production is part of an effort by ADCO to raise its output to 1.8 million b/d of oil from 1.4 million b/d. Abu Dhabi accounts for nearly all production by the United Arab Emirates of about 2.27 million b/d.

ADCO also plans to start production from Bida Al Qemzan and Qusahwira fields and from elsewhere in Bab.

NPCC’s work will include well tie-ins and flowlines connecting production wells to four new remote degassing stations, tie-ins of 54 water injection wells, pipelines totaling about 950 km, and associated equipment.