MEOG: Al Yasat brings Belbazem online

Oil production began this week at the offshore Belbazem oilfield in Abu Dhabi following several years of preparatory work. The Belbazem block, which is located 120 km north-west of Abu Dhabi City, consists of three marginal offshore fields: Belbazem, Umm Al Salsal and Umm Al Dholou.

It is operated by the Al Yasat Petroleum joint venture (JV), which is comprised of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC) and China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC), which is working to achieve full production capacity of 45,000 barrels per day (bpd) of 35 degree API oil and 0.31bn cubic metres per year of gas at a cost of $1bn.

Production from the assets is expected to be processed at the nearby Zirku Island oil-processing hub which is dedicated to the Satah al-Razboot (SARB) field.

A company press release quoted ADNOC upstream executive director Abdulmunim Saif Al Kindy as saying: “The start of crude oil production from the Belbazem offshore block is testament to the success of our strategic partnership with CNPC and the robust bilateral energy relationship between the UAE and China.”

He added: “ADNOC continues to maximise value from Abu Dhabi’s resources, while reducing our carbon footprint to ensure a secure, reliable, and responsible supply of energy to customers locally and internationally.”