Abu Al Bukhoosh

Profile for Abu Al Bukhoosh Oil and Gas Field

Location

The Abu Al Bukhoosh oil and gas field is located offshore in the United Arab Emirates, approximately 45 kilometres northeast of Das Island and 180 kilometres north of Abu Dhabi city. It straddles the UAE-Iran maritime boundary, with the Iranian portion of the field known as Salman.

Discovery and Production

The field was discovered in 1969, although the Iranian portion (Salman) was discovered earlier in 1965. Production at Abu Al Bukhoosh began in 1972.

Operator and Ownership

Historically, the field was operated by TotalEnergies, which held the concession until 2018. Currently, the field is operated by ADNOC Offshore, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

Geology and Reservoirs

The Abu Al Bukhoosh field produces from several reservoirs, including the Permian Khuff reservoir, which is a non-associated gas reservoir. The field also has oil-bearing horizons in the Araej reservoir among others.

Production Details

• Oil Production: At its peak, the field produced around 80,000 barrels per day (b/d), but this has leveled off to approximately 30,000 b/d. Over 450 million barrels of oil have been produced since the start of operations in 1974.
• Gas Production: Associated gas production from the Khuff reservoir started in 1994, with current output at 250 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d). The capacity is expected to be doubled with additional wells and infrastructure.

Development and Infrastructure

The field has undergone seven separate phases of development, involving 22 fixed platforms in 30 meters of water depth. There are over 75 producer and injector wells and 38 sea lines. Advanced technologies such as tertiary gas injection, highly deviated multi-drain horizontal wells, and 3D seismic imaging have been implemented to maximize recoverable oil and gas.

Current Status and Future Outlook

The field has recovered 98.69% of its total recoverable reserves as of the last available data. Based on economic assumptions, production is expected to continue until the field reaches its economic limit in 2027. TotalEnergies and ADNOC Offshore have implemented various techniques to extend the field's productive life, including non-miscible gas injection, which is expected to maintain production for at least another decade.

Key Metrics

• Discovery Year: 1969 (UAE portion), 1965 (Iranian portion).
• Production Start Year: 1972.
• Operator: Currently ADNOC Offshore, previously TotalEnergies.
• Ownership: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
• Production: 43.8 million barrels of oil equivalent per year (boe/y) as of 2018.
• Water Depth: Approximately 157 feet (48 meters).
• Reserves and Resources: The field has significant oil and gas reserves, with detailed data available in specialized reports.

Technological and Operational Innovations

The field has seen the introduction of advanced technologies, including data integration, artificial intelligence, and autonomous robots to enhance safety, efficiency, and profitability. These innovations are part of ADNOC's broader strategy to optimize operations and reduce carbon intensity.