UAE discovers new natural gas field between Abu Dhabi and Dubai

The UAE has announced the discovery of a natural gas field containing 80 trillion standard cubic feet (tscf) of shallow natural gas reserves.

The new discovery was made within an area of 5,000km² between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with ADNOC drilling more than ten exploration and appraisal wells.

The discovery was made public during the signing of a strategic agreement between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP) related to exploration and development of shallow gas resources in a joint project dubbed ‘Jebel Ali’.

The project is expected to support the UAE’s drive for energy self-sufficiency and long-term economic development.

As part of the agreement, ADNOC will conduct further exploration in the surrounding region to assess the potential of additional resource capacity.

It will also deploy technology and expertise to develop shallow gas resources at the new Jebel Ali field.

DUSUP director-general Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “This partnership enables our organisations to combine each other’s capabilities to capture the greatest possible benefits from the UAE’s hydrocarbon assets.

“This collaboration will contribute to raising our long-term energy security, which is crucial to realising our aspirations in a new economic era of growth to be a leader in shaping the future of the region and the world, as well as enhancing the happiness and welfare of our people.”

Gas produced from the Jebel Ali field will be supplied to DUSUP to support Dubai’s economic growth.

UAE holds the sixth-largest proven reserves of natural gas in the world with more than 105 billion stock tank barrels (STB) of recoverable oil, 273tscf of conventional gas and approximately 160tscf in unconventional gas resources.