Abu Dhabi state firm Adnoc announced the start of crude oil production from the offshore Belbazem block on 27 March. Belbazem is operated by the Al Yasat Petroleum JV between Adnoc (60%) and Chinese state firm CNPC (40%) and includes the Belbazem, Umm al-Salsal and Umm al-Dholou fields.
Production figures were not provided, but Al Yasat intends to gradually increase output to 45,000 b/d of 35° API light crude and 27mn cfd of associated gas. A $744mn EPC contract was awarded to the UAE’s National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) in 2021, targeting first oil in 2023 (MEES, 28 May 2021). Oil is piped to the nearby Zirku Island, 65km away from the Belbazem field, from where two key offshore crude grades are currently exported; 34° API 1.7%S Upper Zakum and its 39° API 0.7%S Umm Lulu. (CONTINUED - 162 WORDS)