ADNOC and Wintershall present core sample from Shuwaihat field to German Minister of Economy

Abu Dhabi, 10th March, 2015 (WAM) -- The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Wintershall yesterday set a joint signal for the successful progress of their cooperation. In the framework of a meeting of the UAE-German Joint Commission on Economic, Trade and Technical Co-operation in Abu Dhabi, Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADNOC, and Dr. Rainer Seele, CEO of Wintershall, presented German Minister for Economy and Energy Sigmar Gabriel with a drilled core sample from the Shuwaihat Field as part of the Technical Evaluation Agreement (TEA). The drill core, a cylindrical rock sample, origins from targeted hydrocarbon reservoirs which was formed around 150 million years old. Shuwaihat field is located in the western region of Abu Dhabi. As operator Wintershall, together with the Austrian OMV, is responsible for evaluation of the field. The appraisal well was launched in spring 2014. For Sigmar Gabriel the Shuwaihat project is testament to the considerable potential offered by German-Emirati partnerships: "The United Arab Emirates is an important partner for Germany. It is not only the duty of politics to make this partnership a lively one. It's primarily the duty of companies to shape this partnership. We need more cooperation among companies. I'm convinced that Emirati and German companies gain more when both sides are willing to learn from each other and contribute their own strengths and possibilities to the common cause. ADNOC and Wintershall give a good example in that respect." "The United Arab Emirates offers investors excellent conditions. Nevertheless, we do of course have clearly defined expectations regarding our potential partners," said Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi. "We believe that, in addition to offering a unique profile and extensive expertise, companies in particular need to bring genuine added value to the partnership. And our previous experience with Wintershall confirms that we have chosen a right partner for evaluating the Shuwaihat field." Dr. Rainer Seele added: "It's only through trust, fairness and knowledge about the partner's strengths that partnerships can be established that remain excellent and successful in the long term. In this spirit of partnership, our cooperation with the Shuwaihat project has developed excellently in recent years. I'm therefore highly confident that ADNOC and Wintershall will make the exploration and evaluation of the reservoir into a great success for both our companies." In June 2012, ADNOC, Wintershall and the OMV company from Austria concluded an agreement to conduct a technical evaluation of the Shuwaihat sour gas and condensate field. The reservoir evaluation includes up to three field exploratory wells (onshore and offshore) and a 3D seismic survey. The wells will be sunk to a depth of about 4,000 metres. Due to its high hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide content, the Shuwaihat sour gas reservoir places particularly high technical demands on the exploration and production, and requires a high degree of safety as well as the use of high-tech equipment. Wintershall can draw on more than 40 years of experience in the field of sour gas production in Germany and is also applying this know-how in appraising the Shuwaihat field: for example, pipes made of special steel, numerous shut-off valves on the drilling rig and gas detectors prevent hydrogen sulphide from escaping in an uncontrolled manner. A successful evaluation could make Shuwaihat one of the most important natural gas and condensate fields in the western region of Abu Dhabi. It would also help to meet the increasing demand for hydrocarbons in the United Arab Emirates and contribute to the country's long-term export capabilities. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/economics/1395277714121.html