UAE

While Abu Dhabi and Dubai discovered oil in 1958 and 1966, respectively, Sharjah’s production commenced in 1974, following Crescent Petroleum’s discovery of the Mubarak field.

Crescent Petroleum has historically been pivotal in supporting the development and expansion of the UAE’s gas market. We have extensive in-house technical skills and operating experience in managing and implementing gas development projects, and are well established in the region to continue playing a key role in the further development of the burgeoning gas market.

Our extensive experience and capabilities in the construction and operation of oil and gas production facilities, pipeline transmission and drilling of deep, high pressure/high temperature horizontal wells, both onshore and offshore, has induced other petroleum companies worldwide to call on Crescent Petroleum to take on the role of Integrated Project Managers for their operations.

Crescent Petroleum was also appointed as the technical operator by PGS/Atlantis for the license concessions of Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain in the UAE. Until 2004, the license holder utilised Crescent Petroleum to conduct the work programme on these licenses. This included drilling of several exploration and appraisal wells.

With our expertise and established logistical support in Sharjah, Crescent Petroleum has been able to demonstrate to other oil companies that it can project manage on their behalf more efficiently and cost effectively than they can themselves operate.

Mubarek field

Quick Facts

Mubarek Field was discovered offshore Sharjah in 1972 and brought into production in 1974, within 13 months of discovery confirmation, setting a development record at the time.
Peak production reached approximately 60,000 barrels of oil per day, with cumulative production exceeding 100 million barrels of oil and condensate and 300 Bscf of natural gas.
Capital investment exceeded US$500 million, with a finding and development cost of approximately US$2.90 per barrel.

Discovered in 1972 and brought into production in 1974, the Mubarek Field offshore Sharjah marked a pivotal milestone in the emirate’s energy development. The offshore concession, awarded in 1969 to Buttes Gas and Oil Co. International Inc., a subsidiary of Crescent Petroleum, generated substantial revenues for the Government of Sharjah, supporting economic growth and infrastructure development.

Following offshore seismic surveys in 1971, the Mubarek discovery well was drilled in 1972, and field development was fast-tracked. Within 13 months of the discovery confirmation well, the field was brought to full production, setting a world record at the time for the fastest offshore field development from discovery to first production.

Delivered on an accelerated timeline, the project enabled Crescent Petroleum to develop significant expertise in the management and operation of complex, high-pressure, deep carbonate reservoirs.

Following initial production, the Mubarek Field underwent several phases of development:

Early development of the Ilam/Mishrif oil reservoir (approximately 12,500 ft) was completed in 1977.
Development of the deeper Thamama gas condensate reservoir (approximately 15,500 ft) was initiated in 1987.
Gas sales to Dubai were established in 1993 through a purpose-built 92-km offshore gas transmission pipeline, built and operated by Consolidated Transmissions Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Crescent Petroleum.

At its peak, the field produced approximately 60,000 barrels of oil per day, with individual wells achieving cumulative production of up to 22 million barrels.

The concession was subsequently handed over to the Government of Sharjah following the expiry of the licence period.

Sharjah Onshore Concession

Quick Facts

Concession awarded in 2008, which covered approximately 1,243 sq. km near existing gas-condensate fields in Sharjah onshore.
In 2010, Rosneft partnered with Crescent Petroleum to undertake seismic studies and drill two exploration wells to approximately 15,000 ft, supporting the evaluation of multiple exploration leads and prospects.
Concession was handed back to the Government following licence expiry.

In February 2008, the Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and Crescent Petroleum signed a concession agreement to explore an onshore block located near existing gas-condensate fields.

Following the award, 2D seismic data were acquired in 2008 and interpretation identified multiple leads and prospects within the Thamama formation, consistent with the scale of nearby producing fields. The concession lies within a proven hydrocarbon system, surrounded by mature gas-condensate fields, with additional potential in shallower formations.

In 2010, Crescent Petroleum entered into a farm-out agreement with Rosneft Oil Company, under which Rosneft acquired a 49% participating interest. An exploration programme was subsequently undertaken, including the drilling of two wells to depths of approximately 15,000 ft.

While the concession demonstrated geological potential, only limited drilling was completed, and the licence was subsequently handed back to the Government of Sharjah upon expiry of the concession period.

Sir Bu Nu’ayr

Quick Facts

Offshore concession centred near Sir Bu Nu’ayr Island, approximately 80 km offshore in the Emirate of Sharjah.
Completed seismic acquisition and interpretation programmes between 1999 and 2009, which indicates the project’s considerable potential.
Concession did not progress beyond the evaluation stage.

The island of Sir Bu Nu’ayr, 80 km offshore of Abu Dhabi and part of the Emirate of Sharjah, is located at the centre of an offshore concession area within one of the world’s most prolific hydrocarbon basins. The acreage is surrounded by major producing fields, including Dubai’s Fateh complex, Iran’s Sirri field, and Abu Dhabi’s offshore developments.

Exploration work included 2D seismic acquisition in 1999, followed by further seismic studies and survey design in 2008–2009 covering the island and surrounding concession area. Interpretation of the data supported the development of salt-related play concepts and indicated the potential for hydrocarbon accumulations.

While the studies demonstrated geological prospectivity, the concession did not progress beyond the evaluation stage.

Gas Supply Project

Quick FactsThe

UAE Gas Supply Project involved the ownership, transportation, processing, distribution, marketing, and sale of natural gas and petroleum products.
Crescent Petroleum, through affiliates, secured long-term gas sales agreements with utilities and users in the UAE.
US$300 million invested in the gas sweetening plant and the transmission facilities, which are owned by SajGas and UGTC, respectively, both wholly owned subsidiaries of Dana Gas PJSC.
Gas deliveries by NIOC were due to commence in 2005; however, technical issues and ongoing delays in completing the Iranian facilities required to produce and transport the gas to CNGC led to contract termination in 2018.

Crescent Petroleum has historically been pivotal in putting in place the necessary arrangements to facilitate the development and expansion of the gas market in the UAE.

Crescent Petroleum and our management have pioneered commercial inter-Emirate gas supply and sales arrangements in the UAE, based on gas supplies from Sharjah.

Crescent Petroleum’s management concluded the first inter-Emirate onshore gas supply contract from Sharjah for the UAE Federal Ministry of Electricity and Water in 1985, and then, in 1986, another contract between the Emirates of Dubai and Sharjah. Subsequently, in 1991, Crescent Petroleum concluded the first offshore inter-Emirate gas sales and purchase agreement through a dedicated pipeline (on a build, own and operate basis) from its offshore Mubarek Facilities to Jebel Ali, Dubai.

Crescent Petroleum has extensive in-house technical skills and operating experience of managing and implementing gas development projects, and is well established in the region to play a key role in the further development of the burgeoning gas market. Crescent Petroleum is thus ideally placed, as supplier, transporter, and marketer of gas, to play a significant role in the consolidation and expansion of the gas market in the UAE and the wider region to service end-users in electricity and water as well as other industrial sectors.

Crescent Petroleum and our affiliates plan to continue expanding and participating in the downstream gas and related industrial sectors in order to extract maximum value from the gas chain.