Abu Dhabi: Inpex, Japan’s largest oil and gas exploration production company through its wholly owned subsidiary, Japan Oil Development Company Ltd (Jodco), commenced oil production from the Umm Lulu offshore oilfield in Abu Dhabi, the company said in a press release.

The Umm Lulu oilfield is located approximately about 30km north-west of Abu Dhabi city. Inpex has jointly developed the field with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), BP and Total.

In the first development phase, Inpex commenced oil production from the Umm Lulu oilfield by utilising existing facilities of the Umm Al Dalkh Oil Field, located adjacent to the Umm Lulu Oil Field.

“Full field development of the Umm Lulu Oil Field is currently in progress, and after completion, the field is expected to produce oil at a peak rate of 105,000 barrels per day,” the company said.

The oil produced from the Umm Lulu Oil Field in the first development phase is transported via an existing subsea pipeline to Zirku Island, and eventually supplied to customers in Japan and other Asian countries as Upper Zakum Crude, the company said.

Inpex has been engaged in the oil development business through Jodco in Abu Dhabi for over 40 years. It owns participating interests in the producing oilfields of Umm Shaif, Lower Zakum, Umm Lulu, Upper Zakum2, Umm Al Dalkh and Satah.

In addition, Inpex owns interests in the Nasr oilfield under development. Through Jodco, the oil and gas firm has also been supporting local communities in Abu Dhabi through human resources development and other activities.

“Inpex will continue to actively engage in the oil development business as well as social contribution activities in Abu Dhabi,” the company said.

Inpex headquartered in Tokyo has more than 70 active projects across 27 countries. Since 1966, the firm has steadily expanded its business in Japan and other parts of the world including Australia, Indonesia, the Middle East, the Caspian Sea region, the Gulf of Mexico and North and South America.

In January this year, it announced that the government of Abu Dhabi had decided on the extension of the concession for the Upper Zakum oilfield offshore Abu Dhabi to December 31, 2041 by adding more than 15 years to the previous term.

The field located approximately 80km offshore north-west of Abu Dhabi City is one of the largest in the world with an area of 1,150 square kilometres.

The company officials did not give further details when contacted.