UAE-based Al Dhafra Petroleum has signed an AED1 billion ($272 million) agreement with Excel Astra Engineering & Construction to deliver new produced water treatment facilities at the Haliba oil field in Abu Dhabi. 

Al Dhafra Petroleum is a joint venture between ADNOC (60%) and the Korean National Oil Corporation and GS Energy, forming the Korean National Oil Consortium (40%).

Announcing this on the sidelines of ADIPEC 2026 in Abu Dhabi, the Adnoc unit said this was its largest design, build and operate (DBO) agreement to date. 

It will support the next phase of growth at Haliba and help the company reach its target of 50,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil production.

As per the deal, Excel Astra will design, build and operate new facilities to treat produced water, the water that comes out of the reservoir along with the oil. As oil fields mature, they produce more water, so treating it is essential to keep production growing. Treated water is commonly reinjected into the reservoir to maintain pressure.

The Haliba field, also known as the Area 1 onshore field, lies near Abu Dhabi’s south-eastern border and started production in July 2019. It is operated by Al Dhafra Petroleum, a joint venture set up in 2014 by ADNOC, the Korea National Oil Corporation and GS Energy.

Under the DBO model, Excel Astra will operate the facilities after building them, rather than handing them straight over to Al Dhafra Petroleum.

Adnoc said the project will also advance AI-enabled project delivery and create opportunities for UAE nationals, supporting In-Country Value.-TradeArabia News Service