Abu Dhabi is planning to develop the offshore Dalma oil and gas field for the first time, and will make gas production a priority, according to sources familiar with the project.

State-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has commissioned Genesis Oil & Gas, a consultancy that is a subsidiary of French group Technip – to carry out a concept study on the scheme.

The project, named the North West Development, aims to build platforms and pipelines at the Dalma field, which is located in the west of Abu Dhabi’s offshore territory between Dalma Island and the maritime border with Qatar.

According to sources, the front-end engineering and design (feed) study for the project could also be awarded to Genesis Oil & Gas in order to fast-track the development.

Adnoc plans to build oil lines, but the priority will be to install the gas line first.

Adnoc has yet to decide which of its subsidiaries will carry out the field development and handle the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) tendering.

Adnoc has two offshore operators – Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (Adma-Opco) and Zakum Development Company (Zadco) – but the state-owned company is also thought to be considering onshore oil and gas producers to handle the project.

Abu Dhabi is bringing production online at several oil fields for the first time, including Adma-Opco’s Nasr, Satah al-Razboot (Sarb) and Umm al-Lulu fields.  

Japan-led Chiyoda-CCC Engineering Limited (CCEL) recently won a $150m contract to modify crude processing facilities to handle oil from the Nasr field.