Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced on 26 November 2018 that it has signed an agreement, awarding Wintershall a 10% interest in its offshore ultra-sour gas mega project. Under the agreement, Wintershall joins ADNOC subsidiary ADNOC Offshore (60%, op) and Eni (25%), as well as other yet-to-be determined international partners in the Ghasha Concession. It is understood that ANDOC is in the process of finalising the potential partners for the remaining 5% stake, which is earmarked for foreign oil and gas companies. The Ghasha Concession consists of nine fields, which include the Hail, Ghasha, Dalma and other offshore fields. It will be valid for a 40-year term. The award to Wintershall, and the one to Eni earlier this month, follows the Supreme Petroleum Council's approval of ADNOC's new gas strategy. The company wants to unlock and maximize value from the Emirate's substantial available gas reserves, as the United Arab Emirates moves towards gas self-sufficiency and aims to transition from a net importer to a net exporter of gas.The Hail, Ghasha and Dalma ultra-sour gas project will tap into the Arab basin, which is estimated to hold multiple Tcf of recoverable gas. The project is expected to produce more than 1.5 Bcfg/d when it comes on stream around the middle of the next decade. The Ghasha Concession is expected to produce enough gas to provide electricity to more than two million homes. Once complete, the project will also produce over 120,000 barrels of oil and high value condensate per day.In developing the Hail, Ghasha and Dalma Arab reservoirs, ADNOC will capitalize on its world-leading expertise and successes in ultra-sour gas development, gained from the development of the Shah Arab reservoir, creating an ultra-sour gas hub for the region.
Wintershall will take on a 10% interest (Adnoc 65%, Eni 25%) in the offshore development, which consists of the Hail, Ghasha, Dalma and other offshore sour gas fields, including Nasr, SARB and Mubarraz.