Abu Dhabi has set a 9 January 2013 deadline for commercial bids for the full field development of the offshore Umm al-Lulu oil field in the Gulf, according to sources close to the bidding process.

Offshore producer, Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (Adma-Opco) tendered two major packages for the development of the Satah al-Razboot (Sarb) and Umm al-Lulu fields in the first quarter of the year.

Adma-Opco received technical proposals from engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors in June.

Commercial proposals for the third package of the Sarb full field development and package one of Umm al-Lulu were submitted in early November.

The scope of Umm al-Lulu package two includes the construction of gas processing and oil separation platforms as well as utilities and accommodation.

Adma-Opco is majority-owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), with minority stakes held by the UK’s BP, France’s Total and Japan Oil Development Company (Jodco).

Offshore developments are playing a key role in Abu Dhabi’s efforts to increase its crude production capacity to 3.5 million barrels a day (b/d) from today’s estimated 2.6 million b/d.