Eni Makes First Sharjah Gas Find in 37 Years

Italy's Eni and the UAE's Sharjah National Oil Corporation (Snoc) have struck gas and condensate with an onshore well in Sharjah's Area B. The discovery, named ‘Mahani’ comes within the first year of the partnership and it is the first onshore discovery of gas in the Emirate in 37 years, the operator Snoc said January 27.  

The Mahani-1 exploration well in the Area B concession is the first exploration well following the acquisition of a new 3D seismic survey covering the territory. The two companies are also partners in other onshore areas A and C.  The 50-50 joint venture has already started the studies to fast track the exploitation of these new resources leveraging on the synergies with the existing facilities and infrastructures, while finalising the evaluation of the discovery, Eni said.

The international competitive exploration licensing round was launched in 2018 by the Snoc on behalf of Sharjah Petroleum Council and Eni won the share of the block in early 2019. Mahani-1 was drilled to a total measured depth of 14,597 feet and has tested gas at flow rates of up to 50mn ft³/day, along with associated condensate.

This discovery is a "promising development" and meets Snoc's commitment to make reliable gas supplies available throughout the UAE, said Snoc president Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi. “Sharjah provides strategic energy infrastructure to help the nation meet the growing demand for energy by residential, industrial and utility consumers.”

Snoc owns and operates over 50 wells distributed in three fields, a gas processing complex and 2 hydrocarbon liquid storage and export terminals.