The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the German E&P firm Wintershall have announced progress in the evaluation of the sour gas Shuwaihat field in western Abu Dhabi.
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The two companies presented a drilled core sample from targeted hydrocarbon reservoirs showing evidence of their progress in the field’s geological field mapping.Â
“A successful evaluation could make Shuwaihat one of the most important natural gas and condensate fields in the western region of Abu Dhabi. It would also help to meet the increasing demand for hydrocarbons in the United Arab Emirates and contribute to the country’s long-term export capabilities,” ADNOC said in a stamenet.Â
In June 2014, Wintershall and Austrian OMV launched an evaluation well as part of its appraisal of the sulfur rich sour gas (H2S and CO2) and condensate field.
The reservoir evaluation includes up to three field exploratory wells (onshore and offshore) and a 3D seismic survey. The wells will be sunk to a depth of about 4,000 metres.
Due to its high hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide content, the Shuwaihat sour gas reservoir places particularly high technical demands on the exploration and production, and requires a high degree of safety as well as the use of high-tech equipment.
“Wintershall can draw on more than 40 years of experience in the field of sour gas production in Germany and is also applying this know-how in appraising the Shuwaihat field: for example, pipes made of special steel, numerous shut-off valves on the drilling rig and gas detectors prevent hydrogen sulphide from escaping in an uncontrolled manner,” said ADNOC.Â