Sharjah:Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) has awarded SLB an expanded framework agreement for underbalanced coiled tubing drilling (UBCTD) at the Moveyeid gas field. The new project is approximately twice the size of the initial campaign, which surpassed its drilling and production targets.
According to Sharjah 24, the first project conducted by SNOC in 2024 involved advanced operations, including horizontal well re-drilling and infrastructure development at the Moveyeid field. Starting in 2027, the expanded project will encompass new development phases at the Moveyeid gas storage field and the newly developed Hedebah gas field, aiming to bolster the resilience of Sharjah's gas supplies.
The agreement was signed by Khamis Al Mazrouei, CEO of SNOC, and Dany Rahal, UAE Managing Director at SLB. This award follows the first integrated UBCTD campaign at Moveyeid in 2024, which exceeded its drilling performance and production targets by delivering higher well productivity, improved operational efficiency, and reduced costs.
Al Mazrouei expressed satisfaction with the initial project at Moveyeid, highlighting the achievements through advanced technologies, operational expertise, and collaboration with SLB. He emphasized that the next phase aims to maximize asset potential, strengthen Sharjah's energy security, and enhance its gas infrastructure's resilience.
Rahal noted that the first campaign demonstrated the value of UBCTD in these reservoirs, and the expanded scope allows SLB to apply its drilling technologies and expertise to improve reservoir access and well performance in both gas storage projects and field development.
Underbalanced coiled tubing drilling involves maintaining wellbore pressure below reservoir pressure during drilling, preventing damage to the geological formation and allowing for multiple well branches into high-quality reservoir rock. At Moveyeid, the technology enhances the speed of gas injection and withdrawal into storage, while at Hedebah, it boosts gas-well productivity.
Under the agreement, SLB will provide integrated project management and coiled tubing drilling services. The expanded partnership underscores SNOC's ongoing investment in advanced technologies and strategic collaborations to unlock Sharjah's natural gas resources' full potential.
Source Sharjah 24