The contract will also entail carrying out the front-end engineering and design (FEED) package for the installation of surface production facilities - gas-oil separators, slug catchers, a gathering network and pumps. Exploratory drilling has already been undertaken, following 2D and 3D seismic surveys.

Estimated to be worth $1,000 million-1,500 million, the field development is aimed at producing 100,000 barrels a day (b/d) initially.

Umm al-Lulu is being developed by Zadco on behalf of Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (Adma-Opco). The new facilities will be linked to the existing production units at the adjacent Umm al-Dalkh (UAD) field.

Zadco plans a full-field development of UAD aimed at increasing production capacity by 7,000 b/d to 20,000 b/d, through handling water cuts and enhanced oil recovery techniques.

Umm al-Lulu is part of Abu Dhabi's plans to open up new oil fields for development by 2009/10.

Bids are due to be submitted by 3 June to Adma-Opco for a six-month conceptual study and FEED contract for the development of the offshore Nasr field.