Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ABUDHABI1219
2006-03-28 13:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abu Dhabi
how-toVZCZCXRO4327 PP RUEHDE DE RUEHAD #1219 0871354 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 281354Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY ABU DHABI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4233 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001219
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI, EB/ESC/IEC/EPC
NSC FOR HUTTO
ENERGY FOR MOLLY WILLIAMSON, AND DAS BRODMAN
OVP FOR KEVIN O'DONOVAN
STATE PASS USTR FOR AUSTR DONNELLY AND BELL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG EINV AE
SUBJECT: EXXON GETS 28% OF UPPER ZAKUM
REF: ABU DHABI 470
This cable contains business proprietary information.
UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001219
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI, EB/ESC/IEC/EPC
NSC FOR HUTTO
ENERGY FOR MOLLY WILLIAMSON, AND DAS BRODMAN
OVP FOR KEVIN O'DONOVAN
STATE PASS USTR FOR AUSTR DONNELLY AND BELL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG EINV AE
SUBJECT: EXXON GETS 28% OF UPPER ZAKUM
REF: ABU DHABI 470
This cable contains business proprietary information.
1. (U) On March 27, Exxon Mobil signed agreements with the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi's Supreme Petroleum Council and the Abu
Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for a 28% stake in the
Upper Zakum field as of January 1, 2006. ADNOC's stake in
the field drops from 88% to 60% and the Japan Oil Development
Company (JODCO) keeps its 12% share. Under the terms of the
agreement, Exxon Mobil and JODCO will have a 20 year
concession in the field. ADNOC's goal is to increase the
field's sustainable production capacity to 750,000 barrels
per day (b/d) from its current capacity of around 520,000 b/d
"once all the technical studies are completed." Exxon Mobil
also committed to establishing a technology center in Abu
Dhabi to apply the most advanced reservoir management, well
management, and production operations technology to Upper
Zakum. Exxon Mobil also committed to providing training as
part of its package, including by assisting in establishing a
specialized research and development facility at Abu Dhabi's
Petroleum Institute.
2. (SBU) On March 28, EconChief called Frank Kemnetz,
President of Exxon Al-Khalij (Exxon Mobil's subsidiary) to
congratulate him on a successful deal and to ask about next
steps. Kemnetz explained that Exxon Mobil would study the
field before determining -- in consultation with JODCO and
ADNOC -- a sustainable level of production. He emphasized
that, while the oil resources were in the field, it would
"take work to produce." In response to Econchief's question,
Kemnetz confirmed that ADNOC was not interested in high rates
of production if they led to a rapid decline in a field's
production capacity. (Note: Upper Zakum is an offshore
super giant field, with an estimated 50 billion barrels in
place, with less than 5 percent of the resource produced to
date according to Exxon Mobil's public estimates. End Note.)
3. (SBU) Comment: This has been a long process for Exxon
Mobil since ADNOC put the development of Upper Zakum out for
bid in 2002. The 28 stake in Upper Zakum will significantly
increase the company's presence in Abu Dhabi's upstream oil
industry and demonstrates ADNOC's preference for U.S.
technology and management expertise. End Comment
SISON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI, EB/ESC/IEC/EPC
NSC FOR HUTTO
ENERGY FOR MOLLY WILLIAMSON, AND DAS BRODMAN
OVP FOR KEVIN O'DONOVAN
STATE PASS USTR FOR AUSTR DONNELLY AND BELL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG EINV AE
SUBJECT: EXXON GETS 28% OF UPPER ZAKUM
REF: ABU DHABI 470
This cable contains business proprietary information.
1. (U) On March 27, Exxon Mobil signed agreements with the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi's Supreme Petroleum Council and the Abu
Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for a 28% stake in the
Upper Zakum field as of January 1, 2006. ADNOC's stake in
the field drops from 88% to 60% and the Japan Oil Development
Company (JODCO) keeps its 12% share. Under the terms of the
agreement, Exxon Mobil and JODCO will have a 20 year
concession in the field. ADNOC's goal is to increase the
field's sustainable production capacity to 750,000 barrels
per day (b/d) from its current capacity of around 520,000 b/d
"once all the technical studies are completed." Exxon Mobil
also committed to establishing a technology center in Abu
Dhabi to apply the most advanced reservoir management, well
management, and production operations technology to Upper
Zakum. Exxon Mobil also committed to providing training as
part of its package, including by assisting in establishing a
specialized research and development facility at Abu Dhabi's
Petroleum Institute.
2. (SBU) On March 28, EconChief called Frank Kemnetz,
President of Exxon Al-Khalij (Exxon Mobil's subsidiary) to
congratulate him on a successful deal and to ask about next
steps. Kemnetz explained that Exxon Mobil would study the
field before determining -- in consultation with JODCO and
ADNOC -- a sustainable level of production. He emphasized
that, while the oil resources were in the field, it would
"take work to produce." In response to Econchief's question,
Kemnetz confirmed that ADNOC was not interested in high rates
of production if they led to a rapid decline in a field's
production capacity. (Note: Upper Zakum is an offshore
super giant field, with an estimated 50 billion barrels in
place, with less than 5 percent of the resource produced to
date according to Exxon Mobil's public estimates. End Note.)
3. (SBU) Comment: This has been a long process for Exxon
Mobil since ADNOC put the development of Upper Zakum out for
bid in 2002. The 28 stake in Upper Zakum will significantly
increase the company's presence in Abu Dhabi's upstream oil
industry and demonstrates ADNOC's preference for U.S.
technology and management expertise. End Comment
SISON