The offshore oil production unit of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has awarded a US$350 million (Dh1.28 billion) contract to a government-controlled group for a project aimed at boosting the production capacity of one of the capital's biggest oilfields. Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO), signed the deal yesterday with National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC), an oilfield services and fabricating company based in Musaffah.
Under the agreement, NPCC, a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi Government-owned industrial conglomerate General Holding and the Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Group, is to refurbish a production platform for oil from the Lower Zakum field. The platform was shut down nearly 30 years ago. "It's our pleasure to have NPCC with us in this complicated project, which is the largest we will do for some time," said Aqeel Mahdi, the general manager of ADMA-OPCO. "As this is a brownfield project ? a lot of challenges are there, but our objectives are definitely common. We want to complete the project to the best of ADMA-OPCO's satisfaction. Most importantly, HSE will top this because there will be a lot of interaction between the operators as well as the project team."
The project is part of a programme aimed at enhancing the oil production capacity from Zakum field progressively from the year 2012. It involves reactivating and re-commissioning the production facilities at the Zakum Central Super Complex, which were shut down and subsequently mothballed in the early 1980s. The work will comprise detailed engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and start-up assistance.
tcarlisle@thenational.ae
