German oil and gas exploration and production company Wintershall is setting up a facility in an Abu Dhabi port to support its drilling activities in the region.
The company’s subsidiary Wintershall Middle East GmbH has signed a deal with Abu Dhabi Ports, the operator of Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad) in the Emirate, under which Wintershall will set up a facility at Mugharraq Port in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi.
The facility will cater to the Shuwaihat sour gas and condensate field, expanding Abu Dhabi Ports’ existing services to the exploration and production sector in the Emirate.
Under the contract, Abu Dhabi Ports will lease out a plot of land consisting of yard, loading area and berth at Mugharraq Port to Wintershall, Germany’s largest E&P company active in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the chemical company BASF.
According to a statement on Tuesday, Wintershall, in partnership with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), has completed the first Wintershall-operated appraisal well to explore the Shuwaihat sour gas and condensate field in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi. Preparations for a second appraisal well are underway.
The second well will be drilled offshore. Therefore, the statement further reads, Wintershall will construct temporary tanks on the leased land at Mugharraq Port to store liquid bulk cargoes, and related facilities to support the Shuwaihat project.
“This partnership with Wintershall offers a new opportunity for Abu Dhabi Ports to serve the exploration and production sector in the Emirate, which is vital to the economy of the UAE and the region. The contract also supports our strategy to develop business portfolios for our ports, beyond the regular services we offer to clients in the maritime industry,” said Abdulkareem Al Masabi , Acting EVP – Ports, at Abu Dhabi Ports.
Uwe Salge , General Manager of Wintershall Middle East, said: “For Wintershall as Germany’s largest E&P company, the partnership with Abu Dhabi Ports is a milestone and a step in the right direction. First of all, modernization of Mugharraq port is the base for a successful appraisal in Shuwaihat. Secondly, we’re proud of contributing modern infrastructure to the Western region together with our partner Abu Dhabi Ports. Wintershall came to Abu Dhabi to contribute something with a long-term vision.”