Saudis shift resourcesto offshore exploration
Saudi Aramco is shifting resources to bolster its current offshore activities, drill new wells, and adopt advanced technologies to optimize output, according to a report in this issue byEdward Burton of the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Business Council.
In total, Saudi Aramco operates approximately 16 offshore fields. As part of its plan to expand operations in these fields, the company has increased the number of active offshore rigs from one rig in 2000 to 21 in 2009. Nineteen of these rigs currently are drilling and two are conducting workover operations. While the number of active rigs is expected to decrease slightly by year-end, Saudi Aramco still has more offshore operations than any other company in the Gulf, Burton points out. See his full report and forecast for the rest of the year beginning onpage 28.
Bahrain Oil Minister to open Offshore Middle East Conference
H.E. Dr. Abdul-Hussain Bin Ali Mirza, Minister of Oil & Gas Affairs and Chairman of National Oil & Gas Authority, Kingdom of Bahrain, will deliver the keynote address at the Offshore Middle East Conference & Exhibition Oct. 27- 29 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre in Manama, Bahrain.
Offshore Middle East (OME) provides a forum for industry leaders to address technical issues, introduce pioneering technology, and share lessons learned about finding, developing, and producing offshore Middle East oil and gas.
Fahad A. Al-Moosa, VP of Northern Area Oil Operation, Offshore Operations, Saudi Aramco, will deliver the welcome address.
Chairman of Offshore Middle East 2009Abdulla I. Al-Kubaisy is the manager of Safaniya Offshore Producing Department, Saudi Aramco.
“Although the world economy crisis has had a major impact on the energy sector, the offshore arena is the least to be effected,” Al-Kubaisy says. “The future for continued growth for untapped hydrocarbon is growing rapidly. This has resulted in the world shifting to deeper plays offshore thus ensuring reliable supplies for fossil fuel are provided.”
Full information on the conference and exhibition is available beginning onpage 40.
Bahrain yard aims to capitalize on Gulf
Bahrain’s leading shipyard is investing heavily in offshore construction. Last year, theArab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Co.(ASRY) decided to create a specialist division, ASRY Offshore Services (AOS), to capitalize on the forecast increase in offshore project activity throughout the Middle East.
Despite the subsequent slowdown in the E&P sector worldwide, the new operation has attracted a series of drilling rigs and construction vessels for repairs and overhauls. AsJeremy Beckman, Editor, Europe, reports this month, over the longer term, the aim is to develop the facility into the foremost offshore repair, fabrication, conversion, and maintenance specialist in the northern Arabian Gulf region, capable of servicing most types of drilling and workover rigs, platforms, and offshore vessels.
His article begins onpage 32.
Anadarko continues string of deepwater success
Anadarko continues its drilling success in the Gulf of Mexico deepwater with the Vito discovery on Mississippi Canyon block 984 in 4,038 ft (1,231 m) of water. This is its sixth deepwater discovery in the GoM so far this year. The well, drilled byNoble Amos Runner to 32,000 ft (9,754 m) TD, encountered more than 250 ft (76 m) of net oil pay in subsalt Miocene sands. Anadarko and partners are evaluating data from the discovery well and the timing of an appraisal.
AsManaging Editor David Paganie reports in his column on GoM activity this month, the company plans to drill two additional prospects targeting similar subsalt Miocene objectives along this trend at Silverado and Haleakala in Mississippi Canyon in 2010.
Get the full story beginning onpage 18.
Eldon Ball • Houston
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