The Upper Zakum Oil Field is the largest producing field in ADNOC’s portfolio, which is key to the state-owned producer’s goal of boosting its crude production to 5 million barrels per day by 2027.
Here are five facts you need to know about the oilfield:
- Upper Zakum is the second-largest offshore oil field in the world. ADNOC plans to increase the field capacity of Upper Zakum to 1 million barrels per day by 2024 through a mega-expansion project valued at about $29 billion.
- The mega-project included the construction of four artificial islands in shallow water, which can accommodate 450 wells, 90 platforms as well as drilling rigs, processing facilities, and infrastructure.
- In October 2022, ADNOC set a world record for the longest oil and gas well at the Upper Zakum oilfield. The well is about 50,000 ft long and is part of an extended reach well project designed by ADNOC Offshore, in collaboration with its strategic international partners, which includes US oil major Exxon Mobil.
- Earlier this year, ADNOC awarded a $548 million contract to National Petroleum Construction Co to build a main gas line at its Lower Zakum offshore field, which is expected to increase the field’s gas production capacity from 430 million to 700 million standard cubic feet per day.
- With the Upper Zakum development, ADNOC has strengthened economic relationships with the world. Some of the longest standing partnerships of the project are with the Japan Oil Development Co and ExxonMobil.