Shell, PetroChina to explore for gas off Qatar

Qatar Petroleum has signed a 30-year exploration and production sharing agreement for Qatar’s block D with Shell and PetroChina. Under the agreement, the partners will jointly explore for natural gas in the block, which covers an area of 8,089 sq km (3,123 sq mi) offshore and onshore Qatar, close to Ras Laffan.

The concession covers pre-Khuff geological intervals. Part of the concession extends beneath the giant North field in the overlying Khuff horizon.

The agreement starts with a five-year first exploration period, during which Shell and PetroChina will implement a program of exploration technical studies ; 2D and 3D seismic acquisition ; processing, re-processing, and interpretation ; and drilling of exploration wells to the pre-Khuff formation.

Shell, as operator, will hold a 75 % equity share with PetroChina holding the remainder. Should the partnership discover commercial gas, they will develop it under Qatar Petroleum’s supervision, with the latter also the designated off-taker of any gas produced.

His Excellency Minister Al-Attiyah said : “This new agreement is part of Qatar Petroleum’s plans … to increase the country’s hydrocarbon reserves base, oil and gas production potential, and further strengthen Qatar’s economy. This is the second Qatar agreement dedicated to exploring hydrocarbons from the deep pre-Khuff reservoirs. Qatar Petroleum is also preparing for additional pre-Khuff reservoir exploration tenders in the near future.”

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