Partnership Key to ADNOC’s Technology Qualification Initiatives

Abstract

Middle East Special Section As the oil price downturn continues to impact market stability, and its older reservoirs produce diminishing returns in the face of high energy demands, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has recently focused on new technology development and qualification as a key function of its operations moving forward. One such initiative aimed to develop ADNOC’s technological goals is a collaboration with BP to form an earth surface technology center in Abu Dhabi. And, in seeking to boost recovery from its assets and meet its production targets, the company created its own standards for qualifying new technologies, thus helping it realize strategic production targets and lower overall development costs. Based on the qualification standards of other operating companies and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), ADNOC’s standards on new technologies is set to deploy by the end of the year. Earth Surface Technology Center BP and ADNOC have collaborated on a number of joint venture projects recently, including technological initiatives. BP sends employees to Abu Dhabi to provide technical and managerial support to ADNOC and its operating companies. And last year, at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), the two companies announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development of a center for earth surface technology. The center aims to help improve the optimization and management of oil reservoirs and increase extraction of oil and gas from hydrocarbons in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the seven emirates comprising UAE. The MOU was a result of technical discussions which began between the companies in 2014. Under the terms of the MOU, BP will provide technical assistance to ADNOC for setting standards for works and products, which will be aimed at improving performance through the enhanced oil recovery technique.