ADNOC Drilling completes 50,000-ft well at Upper Zakum Concession

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) says that it has drilled a world record for the longest oil and gas well – a 50,000-ft well at its Upper Zakum Concession. According to ADNOC, the well is approximately 800 ft longer than the previous world record set in 2017. ADNOC Drilling drilled the oil and gas well from Umm Al Anbar, one of ADNOC Offshore’s artificial islands.

ADNOC said the extended-reach wells will tap into an undeveloped part of the giant Upper Zakum reservoir with the potential to increase the field’s production capacity by 15,000 bbl/day of oil, without the need to expand or build any new infrastructure.

“This incredible achievement is in line with ADNOC Drilling’s quest to deliver increased efficiency for our customers as we continue to create greater value for our shareholders. The delivery of this record-breaking well also demonstrates our commitment to lower operational costs, while enabling ADNOC to reach its oil and gas production capacity targets,” said Abdulrahman Abdullah Al Seiari, ADNOC Drilling CEO. “This historic milestone is a credit to the hard work and dedication of our staff who have collectively demonstrated how, as a responsible operator, we are successfully maximizing the use of advanced extended reach, horizontal and directional drilling methods.”

Umm Al Anbar is one of Upper Zakum’s four artificial islands, serving as a hub for offshore drilling and operations.

“ADNOC’s pioneering and innovative use of artificial islands, coupled with its world-leading drilling expertise, is enabling us to drive growth, maximize value and minimize the environmental footprint of our operations. Working with our strategic international partners, we will continue to push the boundaries of engineering for the benefit of the UAE, our partners, and customers around the world,” said Ahmad Saqer Al Suwaidi, ADNOC Offshore CEO.