ExxonMobil and Abu Dhabi
ExxonMobil and Abu Dhabi
ExxonMobil and Abu Dhabi
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17<br />
Technology key to <strong>ExxonMobil</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Abu</strong> <strong>Dhabi</strong> relationship<br />
<strong>ExxonMobil</strong>, <strong>Abu</strong> <strong>Dhabi</strong><br />
National Oil Company (ADNOC)<br />
<strong>and</strong> Japan Oil Development<br />
Company (JODCO), co-venturers<br />
in the Zakum Development<br />
Company (ZADCO), have<br />
launched a major project to<br />
exp<strong>and</strong> development of the<br />
world’s fourth-largest oil field,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the development is on track<br />
to meet its targets.<br />
Containing an estimated 50<br />
billion barrels of oil, the Upper<br />
Zakum field produces more than<br />
one-half million barrels a day.<br />
Through the efforts of professionals<br />
from <strong>ExxonMobil</strong>, ZADCO,<br />
ADNOC <strong>and</strong> JODCO, <strong>and</strong> by<br />
applying <strong>ExxonMobil</strong>’s leading-<br />
Story by Bill Corporon Photography courtesy of ZADCO<br />
<strong>ExxonMobil</strong> is working closely with its co-venturers to develop one of the world’s<br />
largest oil fields. A new technology center, artificial isl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> an innovative<br />
drilling organization highlight efforts to boost recovery at a lower cost.<br />
edge technology, the project could<br />
boost daily field production by<br />
200,000 barrels over the next six<br />
to seven years – a sizable contribution<br />
toward meeting future<br />
growth in global oil dem<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Upper Zakum lies about 50<br />
miles northwest of the city of <strong>Abu</strong><br />
<strong>Dhabi</strong>, the capital of the seven<br />
emirates that make up the United<br />
Arab Emirates (UAE). The offshore<br />
field covers more than 450<br />
square miles <strong>and</strong> contains some<br />
450 wells drilled from more than<br />
90 existing platforms. Wells typically<br />
extend 7,000 to 8,000 feet<br />
below the earth’s surface.<br />
Oil flows through a pipeline<br />
network to one of four main pro-<br />
cessing facilities. After the oil is<br />
treated, it’s fed into another pipeline<br />
for a 35-mile journey to Zirku<br />
Isl<strong>and</strong>. There it’s held in large<br />
storage tanks to await export.<br />
<strong>ExxonMobil</strong> holds a 28 percent<br />
joint-venture interest in the<br />
field <strong>and</strong> in ZADCO, the field’s<br />
operator. ADNOC owns 60 percent,<br />
with JODCO holding the<br />
remaining 12 percent stake.<br />
Opening doors<br />
Less than 10 percent of the field’s<br />
oil has been produced, testimony<br />
to the imposing technical challenges<br />
it presents. Much of the<br />
reservoir is made of low-permeability<br />
rock, making the oil difficult
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