Sharjah said it discovered a new well of natural gas and
condensate onshore in the emirate, its first in more than three decades.
State-owned Sharjah National Oil Corporation (Snoc) and
Italy's oil company Eni discovered the "Mahani" exploration well within
the first year of their partnership, Snoc said in a statement on Monday.
Mahani-1 was drilled to a total measured depth of 14,597 ft and the well has
tested gas at flow rates of up to 50 million standard cubic feet per day,
together with associated condensate. The size of the discovery will be further
evaluated in "due course" with additional drilling expected, Snoc
said.
"This discovery is a promising development for Snoc and
meets our commitment to make reliable gas supplies available throughout the United
Arab Emirates,” Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, President of Snoc, said.
“Sharjah provides strategic energy infrastructure to help the nation meet the
growing demand for energy by residential, industrial and utility consumers.”
The Italian oil and gas company had won three concessions in
Sharjah’s first-ever competitive bid in January 2019. Snoc, which launched the
bidding round in 2018, awarded Eni areas A, B and C onshore exploration
concessions. Mahani-1, located in the area B concession, is the first
exploration well drilled by Snoc following a 3-D seismic survey of the
territory.
“I am delighted that the first exploration well to be
drilled in Sharjah by Snoc, is a gas discovery. This is the first onshore
Sharjah discovery in 37 years and marks the beginning of an exciting time for
Snoc and for Sharjah’s energy sector," Hatem Al Mosa, chief executive of
Snoc, said. "We look forward to further collaboration in the future."
Snoc, the operator of area B, and Eni hold a 50 per cent
stake each in the concession.
The two companies are also partners in concession areas A
and C, which are both located onshore Sharjah.
"Mahani-1 represents the first exploration success for
Eni in the UAE," the Italian oil major said in a statement on its website.
The joint venture has started studies to "fast track
the exploitation of these new resources, leveraging on the synergies with the
existing facilities and infrastructures, while finalizing the evaluation of the
discovery," Eni said.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi said the discovery is set
to bolster the emirate's economy and contribute to its energy reserves,
according to a separate statement from the Sharjah Government Media Bureau.
The discovery will bring about a "major
transformation" in Sharjah's industrial and commercial sectors by
providing energy resources and attracting top global companies to invest in
various sectors in the emirate, Sheikh Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi said.
Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of
the Department of Seaports and Customs in Sharjah, said the natural gas
discovery will stimulate various sectors by generating more commercial and
industrial projects.
Source: www.thenational.ae
