Adnoc’s SARB field achieves 25% increase in production capacity

Adnoc announced on Tuesday that its offshore Satah Al Razboot (SARB) field has achieved a 25 per cent increase in production capacity by implementing industry-leading advanced digital technologies.

The increase at SARB field, to a total of 140,000 barrels per day (bpd), supports Adnoc’s target to increase its production capacity to 5 million barrels of oil per day by 2027.

Located 120 kilometres northwest of Abu Dhabi, the digital solutions implemented on-site at SARB allow the field to be operated remotely from Zirku island, 20km away. Remote monitoring, smart well operations and production management technologies are integrated at the remote control centre for optimised real-time decision-making.

This has enabled the accelerated growth in field capacity with reduced costs and emissions. The field’s digitalisation will enable the deployment of additional AI solutions to further enhance and optimise operations.

Abdulmunim Saif Al Kindy, Adnoc Upstream Executive Director, said, “AI and digitalisation are at the heart of ADNOC’s smart growth strategy to help responsibly meet the world’s growing energy demand. By deploying industry-leading technologies at SARB field, we have increased production capacity while enhancing the safety, sustainability and efficiency of our operations, strengthening Adnoc’s position as one of the world’s lowest-cost and least carbon intensive energy producers.”

The technologies that are deployed at SARB field include tools developed by AIQ, the Abu Dhabi-based AI champion delivering transformative solutions to the energy sector.

AIQ solutions DrillRep and OptiDrill process data from rigs and wells at the field, enhancing drilling efficiency and optimisation. By utilising daily drilling data reports and rig sensor data, AIQ’s technology supports drilling operations with the necessary insights and actions to optimise the drilling process.

Meanwhile earlier this month Adnoc Gas has announced the award of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for the next phase of the UAE sales gas pipeline network enhancement ‘ESTIDAMA Project’.

Separately, ownership of ESTIDAMA is being transferred from Adnoc Gas to Adnoc, thereby significantly optimising Adnoc Gas’ capital efficiency.

The EPC contracts are worth a combined $550 million (Dhs2 billion) and were awarded to NMDC Energy and Galfar Engineering & Contracting W.L.L Emirates.

Approximately 70 per cent of the contracts’ value is expected to flow back into the UAE economy through Adnoc’s In-Country Value (ICV) programme, supporting local economic growth and diversification.

ESTIDAMA will extend the UAE’s natural gas pipeline network operated by Adnoc Gas from approximately 3,200 kilometres to over 3,500 kilometres, enabling the transportation of higher volumes of natural gas to customers in the Northern Emirates of the UAE.

Following the ownership transfer, Adnoc Gas will continue to manage ESTIDAMA, leveraging its expertise in construction and pipeline operations, with Adnoc covering the capital expenditures for this critical infrastructure project.

Dr Ahmed Alebri, Chief Executive Officer of Adnoc Gas, said, “This award supports the ongoing expansion of the UAE’s gas pipeline network, which will bring lower-cost and sustainable natural gas to more locations across the country. We are proud to play a leading role in meeting the growing demand for gas across the country and enabling the UAE’s goal of gas self-sufficiency.

“With the transfer of ownership of the ESTIDAMA Project to Adnoc, Adnoc Gas will continue to benefit from the expansion of the pipeline networks, while improving our capital efficiency to ensure that we maximise value for our shareholders.”

Adnoc Gas will continue to expand its domestic business through ESTIDAMA, paying Adnoc a variable transmission fee for actual throughput of the pipeline. Adnoc Gas will also be paid to operate and maintain ESTIDAMA on behalf of Adnoc.

Last month, NMDC Energy, in partnership with Technip Energies and JGC Corporation, have been awarded a contract worth $5.5 billion by Adnoc for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the lower-carbon Ruwais LNG project, located in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi.

The project will consist of two natural gas liquefaction trains with a total LNG production capacity of 9.6 million tons per annum. The plant will use electric-driven motors instead of conventional gas turbines and will be powered by clean energy.

The plant is set to be the first LNG export facility in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to run on clean power, making it one of the lowest-carbon intensity LNG plants in the world.