Estimated to cost $1,400 million, the scheme is aimed at increasing production capacity from the three onshore oil fields by a total of 60,000 barrels a day (b/d) by 2007/08. The largest increase, of 30,000 b/d, is planned at the Asab field, followed by 20,000 b/d at Sahil and 10,000 b/d at Shah. Current production capacity is 280,000 b/d, 55,000 b/d and 50,000 b/d respectively.

The project, which will take about two years to complete, will involve the supply and installation of compressors, pipelines and related facilities. The client is Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (Adco).

The next stage in the project implementation will be the issue of separate tenders to provide project management consultancy (PMC) and front-end engineering and design (FEED) services. Adco had originally proposed to issue a tender which would include both PMC and FEED services. About six companies responded in mid-August to an initial inquiry for the contract. A tender is due to be issued in early November for the PMC contract.

Adco has embarked on several schemes, aimed at increasing production capacity from all its fields to 1.6 million b/d from 1.4 million b/d. Five companies submitted bids in late August for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract involving the gas lift project at the onshore Bu Hasa field. The contract is worth an estimated AED 60 million ($16 million).