Further development of the Al Shaheen Field, offshore Qatar
The project called Development Plan 2001, comprises the drilling of some 40 new production wells, 20 new water injection wells, and conversion of 14 existing wells to water injection, as well as the construction and installation of new production platforms, interconnected with pipelines, facilities for gas compression, and a gas export pipeline to Qatar Petroleum's North Field Alpha platform, offshore Qatar. In addition, a number of appraisal wells will be drilled to evaluate possible further production potential.
Oil production from the Al Shaheen Field commenced in 1994 from temporary facilities. In accordance with the field development plan agreed between Qatar Petroleum and Maersk Oil Qatar AS in 1996, permanent production facilities were installed in 1998. In 2000, the average oil production rate was 112,000 b/d from 3 platform locations. After implementation of the new development plan, the oil production will increase to 200,000 b/d from 6 platform locations interconnected by subsea pipelines. The development of the field is based on extensive use of horizontal drilling and water injection, applying technology developed by Maersk Oil.
Implementation of the Al Shaheen Field Development Plan 2001 will be initiated immediately, and additional drilling rigs will be mobilized during 2001. By early installation of pipelines, etc. some production may be initiated from the drilling rigs before the permanent facilities are in place in the course of 2003.
The co-operation with the government of the State of Qatar and Qatar Petroleum in respect of Block 5 offshore Qatar commenced upon the signing of an exploration and production sharing agreement in 1992. The agreement has been approved by HE Abdulla Bin Hamad AI-Attiyah, Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatar Petroleum.
Edited by Frederick Parnell