The project will increase total production from the three fields by 60,000 barrels a day (b/d) to 445,000 b/d. It is a key component of Abu Dhabi’s plan to increase crude production capacity to 3.5 million b/d by 2015.

Four contracting groups submitted technical bids in late April. They are UAE-based Petrofac International, Spain’s TR with Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC), Paris-based Technip with Dubai-based Dodsal and Italy's Snamprogetti with India’s Punj Lloyd (MEED 2:5:08).

Three commercial options will be submitted, with each group pricing the work in two split packages as well as one large contract. The total cost is likely to be in excess of $3bn.

The scheme involves increasing capacity by an initial 30,000 b/d at the Asab field, 20,000 b/d at Sahil and 10,000 b/d at Shah by upgrading field facilities.

It is part of Adco’s plan to increase its production capacity by more than 450,000 b/d. The largest element is the ‘1.8 million project’, which aims to increase output by 400,000 b/d at the Qusahwira, Bida al-Qemzam, Ruwais and Bab onshore fields (MEED 24:8:07).