The Sharjah Petroleum Council (SPC) announced a significant discovery on May 4th, 2024, unveiling new natural gas reserves within the Al Hadiba field. Located north of Sharjah's Al Sajaa Industrial Area, initial assessments indicate the presence of commercially viable gas deposits.
This discovery is the result of a successful drilling campaign undertaken by the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) over the past few months. The well drilled by SNOC will undergo further testing in the coming days to definitively determine the total gas volume and assess the field's potential for full-scale development.
The Al Hadiba field becomes Sharjah's fifth onshore gas field, joining existing producers like Al-Saja'a, Kahif, Mahani, and the converted gas storage facility of Muayed. This discovery is a positive development for Sharjah's energy security and its position as a regional energy player. The additional gas reserves can potentially contribute to meeting the emirate's growing energy demands and provide feedstock for its power generation and industrial sectors.
News of the discovery has been met with optimism within Sharjah's government and energy industry. The Sharjah government views this development as a significant milestone in the emirate's ongoing exploration efforts. Sharjah, along with other emirates within the United Arab Emirates, has been actively pursuing hydrocarbon exploration and development projects in recent years. This strategy aims to diversify the emirate's economy and lessen its dependence on global oil prices.
The discovery at Al Hadiba also holds regional significance. The additional gas reserves can potentially contribute to the UAE's overall energy security and its position as a leading natural gas exporter. The UAE is a major supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to global markets, and the Al Hadiba field has the potential to bolster the country's export capabilities in the long run.
While the full extent of the Al Hadiba field's reserves remains to be determined through further testing, the initial findings present a promising opportunity for Sharjah and the UAE. The development of this new gas field can contribute to the region's energy security, economic diversification, and potentially solidify the UAE's position as a major player in the global natural gas market.