Wednesday 14 February 2018

An ONGC Videsh led Indian Consortium has been awarded a 10% stake in the Lower Zakum Concession, offshore Abu Dhabi. The Concession award by the Supreme Petroleum Council (SPC), on behalf of the Abu Dhabi government, to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Indian Consortium, is the first time that Indian oil and gas companies have been given a stake in the development of Abu Dhabi’s hydrocarbon resources. The Indian Consortium comprising of Indian Petroleum Sector Public Enterprises is led by ONGC’s international arm ONGC Videsh and includes Indian Oil Corp and the international arm of Bharat Petroleum Corp (Bharat PetroResources). The Indian Consortium will contribute a sign-up bonus of USD 600 million to enter the concession for a 10% stake.

The Concession, which has a term of 40 years with an effective date of 9th March 2018, was signed by Shri Shashi Shanker, Chairman, ONGC Group of companies and His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, ADNOC Group Chief Executive Officer, and member of Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Petroleum Council in the presence of Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. ADNOC is finalizing the potential partners for the remaining 30% of the available 40% stake in the Lower Zakum Concession earmarked for international oil and gas companies.

The current production of this field is about 400,000 bopd and Indian Consortium annual share shall be about 2 MMT. The field profile is to set to achieve plateau target of 450,000 bopd by 2025.

The present transaction marks the entry of ONGC Videsh in the highly prospective UAE region and is consistent with its stated strategic objective of adding high quality producing assets to its existing E&P portfolio.