Discovery of new gas field to bolster Sharjah’s economy

Imran Mojib, Special Correspondent

A number of officials, specialists and experts have stressed that the discovery of a new gas field in Sharjah will significantly enhance the Emirate’s economic resources and support the economic development and goals of the Emirate.

Sharjah remains one of the safest global economic destinations and the Mahani gas discovery is poised to boost its strategic position as a reliable supplier of gas and key industrial and investment hub in the Arabian Gulf region, offering a world of opportunities

Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of Sharjah Oil Council Sheikh Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi said the historic discovery is set to bolster the Emirate’s resources and contribute to its energy reserves, creating sustainable development and positive economic environment in the country.

He emphasised that the Mahani discovery fulfills the Emirate’s commitment to make reliable and sustained gas supplies available throughout the UAE. Sharjah provides strategic energy infrastructure to help the nation meet the growing demand for energy by residential, industrial and public utility consumers.

This will also help attract more investments into Sharjah’s industrial sector.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi said that the discovery supports Sharjah’s development process and will work to bring about major transformation in the industrial and commercial fields in the Emirate, by providing it with energy resources and attracting top global companies and institutions to invest in various sectors of Sharjah.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, President of the SNOC, congratulated the people of the Emirate on the exciting new discovery, which will reflect positively on the economic sector in Sharjah and the goals of sustainable development, energy security, decent livelihoods and the wellbeing of people, as envisioned by the Ruler of Sharjah.

He pointed out that the new gas field constitutes an important addition to support the Emirate’s economy, which is classified as strong and stable, and would enhance its economic competitiveness.

He expressed confidence that this would help attract more industrial investments to Sharjah and generate greater revenue resources, contributing to the Emirate’s stability and financial sustainability.

The Chairman of SNOC stressed that Sharjah enjoys a number of unique advantages that make it one of the vibrant global economic centres for its financial dynamism, high GDP and its economic diversity, in addition to low public sector debt and fiscal deficit.

Sheikh Khalid Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Seaports and Customs, Sharjah, underscored the strategic importance of the gas field discovery and its role in bolstering the economic status of Sharjah in line with the vision of the Ruler of Sharjah.

He said that the discovery marks a major achievement for the Emirate and would help reinvigorate all sectors by generating more industrial and commercial projects. “Since energy is one of the key drivers of development, the Mahani discovery would significantly augment the economic capabilities and industrial output of the Emirate and support its financial resources in a way that achieves more of the prosperity that the Emirate has witnessed for decades,” he emphasized.

Hatem Al Mosa, CEO of SNOC, added, “I am delighted that the first exploration well to be drilled in Sharjah by SNOC, and our partner ENI, is a gas discovery. This is the first onshore discovery in Sharjah in 37 years and marks the beginning of an exciting time for SNOC and for Sharjah’s energy sector.”

Al Mosa pointed out that SNOC was established in 2010 by an Amiri decree by the Ruler of Sharjah, and is tasked with exploration, production, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of the Emirate’s energy assets.

SNOC owns and operates over 50 wells distributed in three fields, a gas processing complex and 2 hydrocarbon liquid storage and export terminals. Its Sajaa complex is the hub of gas pipelines connecting all northern Emirates.

The Mahani-1 exploration well was drilled to a total measured depth of 14,597 ft and has encountered gas with associated condensate within the Thamama Formation, the primary target for the well.

The well has tested gas at flow rates of up to 50 MMSCF/D (million standard cubic feet per day), together with associated liquids. The size of the discovery will be further evaluated in due course with additional appraisal and development drilling expected.