Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) on behalf of the Petroleum Council of the Emirate of Sharjah launched the Sharjah 2018 License Round for three onshore blocks (A, B and C) on 25 June 2018. SNOC opened a data room to pre-qualified companies on 4 July 2018 and bids are due for submission on 18 November 2018, with any contracts subsequently awarded becoming effective on 1 January 2019. SNOC intends to retain a 25% government interest in blocks A and C, but it is seeking a 50% strategic partner with which to explore Block B, in which it has mapped an undrilled deep gas play below the depleted Sajaa gas-condensate field. It intends to initiate drilling within Block B during 4Q 2018.   The company previously reported that it had completed a new 483 sq km 3D onshore survey during February 2017, however it transpires that up to 851 sq km of ânewâ 3D and 200 sq km of 2013 vintage 3D data will be made available under license as required. Of note is that SNOCâs initial interpretation of the newly acquired seismic has lead it to believe that âmostâ historical wells were either drilled off structure or failed to reach their primary Lower Cretaceous, Thamama Group carbonate objectives. Additional details can be found on the SNOC website: www.snoc.ae    The      three onshore blocks delineated cover an area of 1,885 sq km. They include      developed hydrocarbon discoveries, along with a range of undrilled leads,      prospects and untested plays.            CONCESSION AREA         AREA (sq km)         SNOC %         PARTNER(S) %         OPERATOR         SNOC CARRY         BIDDING PARAMETERS             Concession A         437Â Â Â Â Â  Â    (includes Sajaa, Moveid & Kahaif fields)         25%         75%         Farmee         Carry on E&A (reimbursment during development phase)         Bid Work Programme (Minimum one firm well during first   exploration period)             Concession B         264         50%         50%         SNOC         No carry. SNOC will pay its share of costs as per equity         Bid bonus.Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â    Partner with SNOC on first exploration well (currently in planning   phase)             Concession C         1184         25%         75%         Farmee         Carry on E&A (reimbursement during development phase)         Bid Work Programme (Minimum 600 sq km 3D seismic during first   exploration period)             Â          Â          Â          Â          Â          Â          Â© 2018 IHS   Markit          A WesternGeco      land crew had initiated SNOCâs latest seismic survey in late October 2016.      It was utilising Schlumbergerâs UniQ land seismic acquisition platform      technology to manage the long offsets required to image the complex      overthrust geology in the area, and to help identify unconventional      resource potential along with the existence of deep oil and gas objectives      within the emirate.   In      2016, Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, the deputy chairman of Sharjah      Petroleum Council (SPC) and president of SNOC had unveiled plans to import      liquefied natural gas (LNG) to "add to the supply of gas in Sharjah      and Northern Emirates to meet the growing demand for energyâ. The new      survey was intended to support the forthcoming exploration drilling      campaign, which is being devised to help meet those growing energy      requirements through the discovery of additional domestic resources.      Seismic data processing was completed during 1H 2017 in Schlumbergerâs Abu      Dhabi processing center using reverse time migration to image the complex      geology.  The      2016-2017 3D coverage complements a 3D survey programme conducted onshore      Sharjah during 2011-13.   During      February 2014 a decree signed by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin      Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah was      promulgated formally merging the Sharjah Liquefaction Gas Company (Shalco)      and Sharjah Oil Company (SOC) into a new entity to be known as the Sharjah      National Oil Corporation (SNOC). The SNOC is owned by the government, but      it operates autonomously on a commercial basis and is headquartered in      Sharjah City.  The      Sharjah Petroleum Council was created in 1999 as a result of a decree      issued by Shaikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. The council was charged      with oversight of the petroleum sector within the emirate, including      upstream and downstream planning policy, legislation and investment. The      council replaced the existing Department of Petroleum and Minerals which      had been undertaking these roles since 1972. The chairman of the      Department of Petroleum and Minerals, Shaikh Ahmad bin Sultan Al Qasimi      was appointed chair of the new council.
United Arab Emirates Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) Sharjah 2018 License Round submissions due mid-November 2018