The ruler of Sharjah, the third-largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates, has met with Claudio Descalzi, Chief Executive of the leading oil and gas exploration and production and LNG project company Eni, to take stock of progress after Eni's acquisition of the exploration rights on three onshore blocks.
Sharjah's ruler, Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi who is a member of the Supreme Council of the UAE, and Descalzi discussed gas as well as other future opportunities relating to the energy transition.
Eni and Sharjah National Oil Corp. (SNOC), the state company of the emirate, recently started production from the Mahani gas and condensate field, located in Sharjah's onshore Concession Area B.
This was achieved in less than two years from the signing of the oil contract and in less than a year from the declaration of the discovery.
Eni, a shareholder in projects such as the Damietta LNG plant in Egypt set to soon come back on stream and in two Mozambique LNG projects, is also carrying out exploration activities in areas A and C of the emirate, of which Area C is largely under-explored.
“The milestones we have achieved so far with an incredible time-to-market is the result of the support of Dr. Sultan III bin Muhammad al-Qasimi and the harmonious partnership between SNOC and Eni,” said Descalzi.
“These are great achievements, particularly considering the exceptional challenges incurred during the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” added the Eni CEO.
The UAE is aiming to increase its natural gas resources by investing more in exploration and production in the next few years.
In the Sharjah gas field, Eni holds a 50 percent stake in the Concession Area B along with partner SNOC with the Sharjah firm acting as operator. Eni acquired Area B in a competitive bid round in January 2019.
Production from the Mahani field is sent through a new multiphase trunk line to SNOC’s Sajaa Gas Plant where it is processed utilizing the existing facilities and infrastructure.
Eni said that field production is expected to increase progressively with the connection of further wells planned to be drilled during 2021-2022.
In addition to Sharjah, Eni is also present in two other emirates, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, the fourth-largest of the seven emirates that make up the UAE.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and the second-most populous city after Dubai.
Abu Dhabi holds the most oil and gas resources of all the emirates and currently produces around 5.8 million tonnes per annum of LNG at the Das Island liquefaction plant off Abu Dhabi.
The UAE also imports diminishing quantities of LNG as its domestic gas position improves.
