OMV in first upstream pact with Wintershall to appraise Abu Dhabi gas play

Wintershall Middle East, a Wintershall Holding unit, and Austrian energy group OMV have signed an agreement with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to appraise the sour gas and condensate field in Shuwaihat, in western Abu Dhabi, UAE.

As operator, Wintershall will undertake the appraisal while OMV, as an equal partner, will drill three appraisal wells and acquire 3D-seismic over the field.

If the appraisal drilling campaign is successful, ADNOC will participate in the development and production phase of the Shuwaihat field, located about 25km to the West of Ruwais.

OMV CEO Gerhard Roiss said the signing of the first upstream joint venture in Abu Dhabi underlines the company’s exploration and production strategy in the Middle East and strengthens relations with the UAE and ADNOC.

"The close partnership with the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) is already a central element of our success, as illustrated by the shareholder relationship we have had for many years and our partnership in the petrochemicals industry," Roiss added.

Wintershall and OMV plan to use advanced technologies to jointly appraise the field and determine its future development.

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Image: Wintershall signing the deal with OMV and ADNOC to conduct an appraisal drilling campaign on the Shuwaihat field. Photo: Wintershall Holding GmbH.