Eni and the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) have announced production start-up from the Mahani field, located in onshore Concession Area B of the Sharjah Emirate.

This is the first step in the further evaluation of the Mahani gas and condensate discovery, announced last January, which is estimated to hold significant resources of natural gas and associated condensate.

Eni holds a 50 per cent stake in the Concession Area B with SNOC holding the remaining 50 per cent and SNOC acting as Operator. Eni acquired Area B in a competitive bid round in January 2019.

Production from the Mahani field is sent through a new multiphase trunk line to SNOC’s Sajaa Gas Plant where it is processed utilising existing facilities and infrastructure.

Field production is expected to increase progressively with the connection of further wells planned to be drilled during 2021-22.

Eni Chief Executive Officer, Claudio Descalzi, said production start-up has been achieved in less than two years since contract signature and one year since the discovery announcement.

“This is a big achievement of which we need both to be proud of, considering also the exceptional challenges incurred during the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Exploration in Sharjah was considered to be over since the 1980s. However, together with SNOC we demonstrated that using state-of-the-art technology and high-level competences also areas considered as ‘mature’ can reveal new potential,” Mr Descalzi said.

Eni states that it will continue its commitment on Sharjah exploration also in the Operated Areas A&C, of which Area C is largely underexplored, with the aim to secure further resources for the benefit and development of Sharjah Emirate.

Eni’s presence in the Middle East has continued to grow during the last couple of years.

The company’s current exploration acreage in the UAE alone amounts to more than 23,000 square kilometres gross, comprising the onshore of Sharjah and offshore areas of Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.

Eni has been present in Abu Dhabi since 2018 and today holds three offshore development and production concessions and three offshore exploration concessions.