
The Upper Zakum oil field project is a significant undertaking that has been ongoing for several decades. It's located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and is operated by Zakum Development Company (ZADCO), a joint venture between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and other international oil companies.
The project began in the 1960s, with the first oil discovery in 1965. The field was initially developed to extract oil from a shallow reservoir.
The Upper Zakum oil field is one of the largest oil fields in the world, covering an area of approximately 87 square kilometers.
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Oil Details
The Upper Zakum oilfield is a significant source of oil, with production beginning in 1982.
The field was discovered in 1963, and a decision to develop it was made in 1977.
ADNOC partnered with JODCO in 1978 to develop the field, followed by Exxon in 2006.
A study to increase production capacity from 500,000bpd to 750,000bpd commenced in 2006.
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This resulted in an artificial island-based development.
The shallow-water Upper Zakum oilfield comprises approximately 450 wells.
These wells extend 7,000ft to 8,000ft below the earth’s surface.
The wells are tied to more than 90 existing platforms.
Oil retrieved from the field flows through a pipeline network into one of four main processing facilities for treatment.
It is then pumped through the main oil lines, which measure approximately 55km, to Zirku Island for further processing, storage and export.
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Development and Infrastructure
The Upper Zakum oil field has an impressive infrastructure that supports its high production capacity. The field features four oval-shaped artificial islands, including a central island and three satellite islands.
These islands were constructed between 2010 and 2014 and house essential infrastructure such as processing facilities, wellhead controls, and other equipment. The central island measures 1,200 meters by 600 meters and is the largest.
The project involved laying 240 kilometers of subsea pipelines, 128 kilometers of subsea composite and fiber-optic cables, and the installation of various offshore structures such as jackets, riser platforms, and flare towers.
The artificial islands support higher-capacity land-based drilling rigs and address inefficiencies in existing processing facilities and the intra-field pipeline network.
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Development and Infrastructure" seems to match most closely with "Project Timeline

The Upper Zakum oil field has seen significant development and infrastructure improvements over the years. The UZ750 Project, completed in 2014, increased production capacity from 500,000 bpd to 750,000 bpd.
This project involved the construction of artificial islands and the installation of various production modules. The development plan also utilized state-of-the-art reservoir characterization and modeling techniques.
The project's success has paved the way for future expansion plans. ADNOC announced plans to increase production to one million bpd by 2024 with an investment of over $30 billion.
Technical bids have been submitted for a major expansion as part of ADNOC's P5 program. This project, valued at approximately $1 billion, aims to enhance and sustain the field's output to 1.2 million bpd within the next two to three years.
The development plan incorporates a unique combination of technologies to increase recovery and minimize infrastructure. This includes the use of artificial islands, extended-reach drilling, and maximum reservoir contact well technologies.
Here's a brief timeline of the major development milestones for the Upper Zakum oil field:
- 1963: Discovery year of the Upper Zakum oil field
- 1977: Final Investment Decision (FID) year
- 1982: Production start year
- 2010: Construction of artificial islands began
- 2014: Construction of artificial islands was completed
Infrastructure and Technology
The Upper Zakum oil field in Abu Dhabi is a prime example of innovative infrastructure and technology. The field features four artificial islands, designed to house processing facilities, wellhead controls, and other essential infrastructure.
These islands were constructed between 2010 and 2014 using advanced technologies such as extended-reach drilling and maximum reservoir contact well technologies. Some wells drilled from the islands are over 35,000 feet long.
The infrastructure at Upper Zakum includes 240 kilometers of subsea pipelines, 128 kilometers of subsea composite and fiber-optic cables, and various offshore structures such as jackets, riser platforms, and flare towers. This extensive network enables efficient oil recovery and transportation.
A notable achievement at Upper Zakum is the drilling of a well with a depth of over 40,000 feet, the longest well ever drilled in the Middle East. This milestone showcases the capabilities of modern drilling technologies.
Here are the key components of the Upper Zakum infrastructure:
- Artificial Islands: Four oval-shaped islands, including a central island and three satellite islands.
- Extended-Reach Drilling: Wells drilled from the islands are over 35,000 feet long.
- Subsea Infrastructure: 240 kilometers of subsea pipelines, 128 kilometers of subsea composite and fiber-optic cables, and various offshore structures.
These innovative technologies and infrastructure have enabled the Upper Zakum oil field to become a major contributor to the region's oil production.
Contractors and Service Providers
The Upper Zakum oil field has a long history of collaboration with various contractors and service providers. NPCC and TechnipFMC were involved in the first phase of the UZ750 project.
Several companies were awarded contracts for integrated rigless services in July 2021. These companies include Schlumberger, ADNOC Drilling, and Halliburton.
National Marine Dredging Company played a crucial role in the construction of the artificial islands. They brought their expertise to the project, ensuring its success.
Petrofac International Ltd, Target Engineering Construction Company, and Archirodon Construction have all submitted bids for the current expansion project. Their contributions will be essential in the field's continued growth and development.
Here's a list of some of the key contractors and service providers involved in the Upper Zakum oil field:
- National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC)
- TechnipFMC
- Schlumberger
- ADNOC Drilling
- Halliburton
- National Marine Dredging Company
- Petrofac International Ltd
- Target Engineering Construction Company
- Archirodon Construction
Production and Capacity
The Upper Zakum oil field is a significant producer of oil. In 2021, the field produced 292 million barrels of oil per year. The production increased to 299.3 million barrels of oil per year in 2022.
The field's production capacity has also been increasing over the years. The production design capacity of the field is 365 million barrels of oil per year, as of 2024.
Here's a table showing the production from the Upper Zakum Oil Field:
The partners behind the Upper Zakum oil field have ambitious plans to increase the production capacity further. They aim to reach one million barrels per day by 2024 and sustain it until at least 2050.
Data and Statistics
The Upper Zakum oil field is a significant contributor to the oil production in the United Arab Emirates. Located approximately 84 kilometers northwest of the Abu Dhabi islands, it's one of the world's largest oil fields, with estimated proven crude oil reserves of 50 billion barrels.
The field was discovered in 1963, and production began in 1982. ADNOC partnered with JODCO in 1978 for the development of the field, followed by Exxon in 2006. A study to increase production capacity from 500,000bpd to 750,000bpd commenced in 2006, resulting in an artificial island-based development.
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The Upper Zakum oil field comprises approximately 450 wells, extending 7,000ft to 8,000ft below the earth's surface. The wells are tied to more than 90 existing platforms, with oil retrieved from the field flowing through a pipeline network into one of four main processing facilities for treatment.
Here are some key statistics about the Upper Zakum oil field:
- Estimated proven crude oil reserves: 50 billion barrels
- Production capacity: 750,000bpd (targeted)
- Number of wells: approximately 450
- Existing platforms: more than 90
Table 2: Reserves
The Upper Zakum oilfield has some impressive reserves. According to the data from 2018, the oil reserves in the field are approximately 50,000 million barrels.
The reserves classification for oil is divided into two categories: reserves and estimated proven reserves. This classification helps us understand the reliability of the oil reserves.
In 2018, the oil reserves in the field were approximately 50,000 million barrels, while in 2022, the estimated proven reserves were also 50,000 million barrels.
Here's a summary of the oil reserves in the Upper Zakum oilfield:
Table 4: Locations
The Upper Zakum Oil Field is located offshore in the United Arab Emirates. It can be found at the coordinates 24.8429, 53.6563 (exact) using the WGS 84 system.
This field is part of the UZ750 complex, which is shown in the map provided.
Offshore Oil Profile
The Upper Zakum oilfield is a significant offshore oil field located in the UAE. It was discovered in 1963.
Production from the oilfield began in 1982, after a 19-year wait. ADNOC partnered with JODCO in 1978 to develop the field.
The field is home to approximately 450 wells, extending 7,000ft to 8,000ft below the earth's surface. These wells are tied to over 90 existing platforms.
A study to increase production capacity was conducted in 2006, which led to the development of an artificial island-based project. This project aimed to boost production from 500,000bpd to 750,000bpd.
Oil retrieved from the field flows through a network of pipelines into one of four main processing facilities for treatment.
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Recent Developments and Efficiency
The Upper Zakum oil field has seen significant developments in recent years. A major project, the UZ750 Project, was completed, increasing production capacity from 500,000 bpd to 750,000 bpd.
This project involved the development of offshore facilities, including the construction of artificial islands and the installation of various production modules. The total cost of this project was $10 billion.
In addition to this project, plans have been announced to increase production to one million bpd by 2024 with an investment of over $30 billion. This is part of a larger expansion plan that aims to boost production capacity to five million bpd by 2030.
The development plan also incorporates advanced technologies to increase recovery, minimize infrastructure needs, and reduce the environmental footprint. The use of artificial islands supports higher-capacity land-based drilling rigs and addresses inefficiencies in existing processing facilities and intra-field pipeline networks.
Here are some key details about the upcoming expansion plans:
- Project valuation: Approximately $1 billion
- Project duration: Expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2028
- Production target: Enhance and sustain the field’s output to 1.2 million bpd within the next two to three years
Recent Developments
The UZ750 Project was a massive undertaking that increased production capacity from 500,000 bpd to 750,000 bpd with a $10 billion investment.
This project involved the development of offshore facilities, including the construction of artificial islands and the installation of various production modules.
A major expansion is currently underway as part of ADNOC's P5 program, which includes de-bottlenecking existing gas handling facilities and expanding gas lift capabilities.
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This project, valued at approximately $1 billion, aims to enhance and sustain the field's output to 1.2 million bpd within the next two to three years.
ADNOC has announced plans to increase production to one million bpd by 2024 with an investment of over $30 billion.
The company is also aiming to boost production capacity to five million bpd by 2030 with an investment in integrated rigless services.
Here's a breakdown of the planned expansions:
- 2024: 1 million bpd with $30 billion investment
- 2030: 5 million bpd with investment in integrated rigless services
Environmental Efficiency
Environmental efficiency is a top priority in recent developments. The use of artificial islands is a key strategy to minimize infrastructure needs.
By supporting higher-capacity land-based drilling rigs, artificial islands help to increase recovery rates. This approach addresses inefficiencies in existing processing facilities and intra-field pipeline networks.
The development plan incorporates advanced technologies to reduce the environmental footprint.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Upper Zakum and lower zakum?
The Upper Zakum and Lower Zakum oil fields are two separate reservoir horizons of the same oil field, with the main difference being their geographical location and development status. The Upper Zakum is located above the Lower Zakum, with the latter being developed by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
How deep is the water in Upper Zakum?
The water depth in Upper Zakum ranges from 5 to 15 metres.
Who owns Upper Zakum?
Upper Zakum oil field is owned by a joint venture between ADNOC, ExxonMobil, and INPEX's JODCO subsidiary. The ownership stakes are 60% ADNOC, 28% ExxonMobil, and 12% INPEX.
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