Keenly aware of a range of offshore concession expirations lined up in 2018, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed possible extensions with UAE officials during a recent visit to Abu Dhabi. Japanese companies are stakeholders in all of Abu Dhabi’s currently-operating offshore fields.

Among others, upstream firm Inpex, through its Abu Dhabi subsidiary Japan Oil Development Company (JODCO), has a 12% stake in Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO). ADMA-OPCO’s five offshore concessions – which include the 300,000 b/d Lower Zakum field – are set to expire in 2018, and Japan hopes to maintain its strong presence in Abu Dhabi’s offshore production. (CONTINUED - 330 WORDS)