The Bunduq oilfield produces far more water than hydrocarbons after 35 years of production, but its Japanese operator hopes to keep it pumping for another decade with a costly makeover. Efforts to counter the natural decline of this small offshore reservoir are a dress rehearsal for the larger task that will face the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and partners - squeezing more output from giant fields that have been producing for decades.
Tens of billions of barrels are still locked in these fields but sucking them out will require more investment and technology. Enhanced oil recovery is already commonplace in most oil producers around the world, but Abu Dhabi is only just turning to the technology because of the sheer abundance of prolific reservoirs that flow naturally. "We cannot avoid the decline but we can sustain the production," said Yuji Shiozawa, the general manager of Bunduq Company, at a celebration to mark the company's 40th anniversary.
About 70 per cent of output from the Bunduq field, which lies on Abu Dhabi's border with Qatar and is shared equally between the two, is now water, according to Mr Shiozawa. The so-called "water cut" at some of the field's 49 wells is as high as 95 per cent, he added. In their first years of life, most reservoirs produce a pure stream of oil and gas. Mr Shiozawa declined to specify current output of the Bunduq field but analysts last year put it at 16,000 barrels per day (bpd), a far cry from a peak of 50,000 bpd reached in 1989.
Squeezing more hydrocarbons from reservoirs is the focus of most research into petroleum technology around the world and engineers can now expect to extract at least half of the oil from a typical reservoir. Bunduq began producing in 1975 at 30,000 bpd, but by 1984 a sharp fall in output had forced engineers to start injecting vast quantities of water into the sides of the reservoir to force out more oil, in a programme costing between US$300 million (Dh1.1 billion) and $400m.
Today, the company each day injects nearly as much water into the reservoir as the combined oil and water it takes out, Mr Shiozawa said. A second phase of enhanced oil recovery began in 2006, when the company started injecting natural gas into its wells to boost flagging reservoir pressure. The gas injection programme has proved the field's output "is better than expected", Mr Shiozawa said. The company, a joint venture between BP and a consortium of Japanese companies known as United Petroleum Development (UPD), will drill another eight wells this year, on top of the 49 that are already in the field, he said.
Bunduq, at a more advanced stage than most of Abu Dhabi's fields, serves as a place for engineers to test the advanced techniques that will one day be needed at larger fields in the emirate, said Thaddeus Malesa, a Gulf oil analyst based in Dubai for the energy consultancy PFC. "In this particular case it is about preparing themselves for the future and saying 'Okay, we may not be really making a [big] profit on this field … but we may be needing these techniques in the future'," Mr Malesa said. "Any type of field where that is being implemented, costs have gone up."
ADNOC officials have said they would also turn to untapped reservoirs to sustain output. The Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations, an ADNOC joint venture with international companies that pumps crude from onshore fields, has for several years been experimenting with the injection of carbon dioxide and nitrogen into wells to increase oil output. Such methods are estimated to cost several times as much as conventional natural gas injection.
Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company, a joint-venture that produces oil from some offshore areas, in March started its own study of carbon dioxide injection. With the concession agreements that founded both companies set to expire in 2014 and 2018 respectively, foreign oil companies hoping to participate in Abu Dhabi's oil sector are jockeying to show off advanced but affordable technology. "[Enhanced oil recovery] is certainly a part of that equation," said Mr Malesa. "I think they're trying to attract proven firms that are willing to commit significant capital."
Bunduq's concession, which was granted directly by the Abu Dhabi and Qatari governments and does not include ADNOC as an equity partner, also expires in 2018. Mr Shiozawa declined to offer a prediction on whether it would be extended. cstanton@thenational.ae
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20WallyGPT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaeid%20and%20Sami%20Hejazi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%247.1%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%20round%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile
Name: Infinite8
Based: Dubai
Launch year: 2017
Number of employees: 90
Sector: Online gaming industry
Funding: $1.2m from a UAE angel investor
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key findings
- Over a period of seven years, a team of scientists analysed dietary data from 50,000 North American adults.
- Eating one or two meals a day was associated with a relative decrease in BMI, compared with three meals. Snacks count as a meal. Likewise, participants who ate more than three meals a day experienced an increase in BMI: the more meals a day, the greater the increase.
- People who ate breakfast experienced a relative decrease in their BMI compared with “breakfast-skippers”.
- Those who turned the eating day on its head to make breakfast the biggest meal of the day, did even better.
- But scrapping dinner altogether gave the best results. The study found that the BMI of subjects who had a long overnight fast (of 18 hours or more) decreased when compared even with those who had a medium overnight fast, of between 12 and 17 hours.
SERIES INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Table
The top three sides advance to the 2022 World Cup Qualifier.
The bottom four sides are relegated to the 2022 World Cup playoff
1 United States 8 6 2 0 0 12 0.412
2 Scotland 8 4 3 0 1 9 0.139
3 Namibia 7 4 3 0 0 8 0.008
4 Oman 6 4 2 0 0 8 -0.139
5 UAE 7 3 3 0 1 7 -0.004
6 Nepal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 PNG 8 0 8 0 0 0 -0.458
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
if you go
The flights
Direct flights from the UAE to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, are available with Air Arabia, (www.airarabia.com) Fly Dubai (www.flydubai.com) or Etihad (www.etihad.com) from Dh1,200 return including taxes. The trek described here started from Jomson, but there are many other start and end point variations depending on how you tailor your trek. To get to Jomson from Kathmandu you must first fly to the lake-side resort town of Pokhara with either Buddha Air (www.buddhaair.com) or Yeti Airlines (www.yetiairlines.com). Both charge around US$240 (Dh880) return. From Pokhara there are early morning flights to Jomson with Yeti Airlines or Simrik Airlines (www.simrikairlines.com) for around US$220 (Dh800) return.
The trek
Restricted area permits (US$500 per person) are required for trekking in the Upper Mustang area. The challenging Meso Kanto pass between Tilcho Lake and Jomson should not be attempted by those without a lot of mountain experience and a good support team. An excellent trekking company with good knowledge of Upper Mustang, the Annaurpuna Circuit and Tilcho Lake area and who can help organise a version of the trek described here is the Nepal-UK run Snow Cat Travel (www.snowcattravel.com). Prices vary widely depending on accommodation types and the level of assistance required.
