Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL)-led consortium has been awarded Offshore Block 5 in Abu Dhabi’s second competitive exploration block bid round. Offshore Block 5 covers an area of 6,223 square kilometers and is located 100 kilometers north east of Abu Dhabi city. Besides PPL, who is the Operator during the exploration phase, the consortium consists of three major Pakistani E&P companies: Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MPCL) and Government Holdings (Private) Limited (GHPL).
“As per the latest notice on PSX, the consortium comprising of PPL (operator), OGDC, MARI and GHPL has been awarded an Offshore Block-5 in Abu Dhabi. To recall, the consortium participated in Abu Dhabi’s second competitive exploration bid round in 2019 for acquiring one of the five blocks (three offshore and two onshore) being offered by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). For this purpose, ECC permitted these four companies to invest a total of USD 400mn (USD 100mn by each company) in Aug’21 for 5 years by issuance of Corporate Guarantees in favor of ADNOC and Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs (SCFEA). With this, the consortium formed a Special Purpose Vehicle, which made it eligible for the exploration block. Following the concession award of Offshore Block-5, the consortium announced development of a company Pakistan International Oil Limited (PIOL) located at Abu Dhabi Global Market, where each company has a 25% stake. The awarded block is located 100 km North East of Abu Dhabi and has an area of 6,223 km². It resides in an area which has prospects of large hydrocarbon reserves. Albeit, these E&P companies for the first time will be able to explore, appraise and develop oil and gas resources in Abu Dhabi and expand its footprint internationally. Beside Pakistani companies, other international companies such as Eni (Italy), PTTEP (Thailand), Occidental Petroleum (US), Index (Japan), Bharat Petroleum Company (India) and Indian Oil Company Limited (India) have won blocks in Abu Dhabi”.
The exploration concession agreement was signed by MD & CEO PPL Moin Raza Khan, on behalf of the consortium, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber
Federal Minister for Energy, Hammad Azhar in his message highlighted, “While Pakistan and UAE share long and friendly bilateral relations, this award is a new beginning for both on the energy front. As Pakistan addresses escalating energy demand in the country, such milestones for energy cooperation will surely assist the country towards bridging the energy supply and demand gap.”
This is the Emirate’s second competitive bidding round organized by ADNOC for the exploration, development and production of oil and gas. The historic agreement builds on the deep-rooted bilateral relationship between the UAE and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, Moin Raza Khan said, “The PPL-led consortium is delighted to be selected for the concession award of Abu Dhabi’s Offshore Block-5. This award is not only a watershed moment for Pakistan and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi towards bilateral energy cooperation and economic links but also offers an opportunity to strengthen strategic cooperation with ADNOC to share technical know-how and expertise. We are particularly excited that this consortium comprises the ‘big four’ national exploration and production companies that are fully geared to support ADNOC and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in reinforcing its leading position in the global energy sector.”
This concession award is the first opportunity for Pakistani E&P companies to explore, appraise and develop oil and gas resources in Abu Dhabi, along with establishing a strategic partnership with ADNOC.
MD and CEO OGDCL, Shahid Salim Khan stated, “OGDCL has embarked on its internationalization journey in line with its growth-driven business strategy. Participation in Abu Dhabi’s Offshore Block 5 is a manifestation of the company’s commitment to augment its exploration and production portfolio and improve its reserves replacement ratio.”
“Our participation is in line with MPCL’s vision of becoming an international integrated energy company and is also aligned with the company’s growth strategy of enhancing collaboration with other E&P players and focusing on improving our reserves replacement ratio. We look forward to a positive outcome of the venture,” said MD and CEO MPCL, Faheem Haider.
MD and CEO GHPL, Masood Nabi shared similar sentiments: “GHPL is pleased to be part of the consortium selected for the award of Abu Dhabi’s Offshore Block 5, a milestone in the history of Pakistan’s oil and gas sector. This will not only allow exchange of technical expertise between ADNOC and consortium partners but also enhance Pakistan and UAE ties.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the consortium will hold a 100 percent stake in the exploration phase for exploration and appraisal drilling and to appraise oil and gas opportunities in the block.
In case of a successful commercial discovery during the exploration phase, the consortium will have the right to a production concession to develop and produce commercial discoveries. ADNOC will have an option to acquire a 60 percent stake during the production phase of the concession. The term of the production phase is 35 years from the commencement of the exploration phase.
