JANUARY

Adnoc chief executive officer Yousef Omair bin Yousef asks Japan to continue supporting its oilfield development projects despite the planned abolition of Japan National Oil Corporation (JNOC).

During a meeting with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Takeo Hiranuma, Yousef expresses concern over the planned scrapping of JNOC as part of the restructuring of government-affiliated corporations. Hiranuma replies that Japan would keep offering assistance.

Abu Dhabi-based National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) and Iran's Naft Sazeh Qeshm (NSQ) sign a contract with Shell Exploration BV for the construction of facilities at Iran's Soroosh/Nowrooz oilfields, official sources say.

The NPCC-NSQ joint venture will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, installation and construction management of the facilities. The facilities include three production platforms, two living quarters platforms, two wellhead platforms and associated pipelines.

Abu Dhabi is not likely to increase capacity at its refineries in the short to medium term, says an Adnoc official. The current refining capacity at Umm Al Nar and Ruwais plants was around 510,000 barrels per day (bpd), he says.

Mohammed Abdullah Al Azdi, manager, chemicals operations coordination division at Adnoc says that although only eight per cent of the global crude oil is refined in the Middle East, the region will expand its share of refined products exports in the next two decades. He says the challenge for the Middle East is consolidation and exposure to one single market, namely China.

FEBRUARY

Adnoc issues a new corporate health, safety and environment (HSE) policy and new guidelines for its group companies to implement an integrated HSE management system.

APRIL

Adnoc informs its term crude customers in Japan and South Korea that their May 2002 liftings of Lower Zakum and Umm Shaif will be at 90 per cent of the contracted volume.

Encouraged by growing demand in Asian markets especially India, the Adnoc-owned Ruwais Fertiliser Industries (Fertil) plans to double production capacity of ammonia and urea.

"Fertil is likely to double production of ammonia and urea sometime this year after the feasibility study is completed. The right timing to undertake expansion is crucial," Saif Al Ghafli, Fertil general manager, says.

Adnoc Distribution, the retail marketing arm of Adnoc, is enhancing the production of lubricants and greases to 60,000 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) by year end, an official says. At least 20 more service stations are planned for opening by year end.

A joint Adnoc-Shell study team completes a feasibility study and produces a development concept to utilise Abu Dhabi's significant sour gas reserves.

"At the moment, Adnoc is using clean sweet gas for its gas injection, but with supplies of sour gas readily available to us, we would like to use this for injection into our oil and gas reservoirs," says Mohammed Al Qubaisi, deputy director for exploration and production at Adnoc.

Adnoc asks foreign oil companies interested in acquiring a stake in the Zakum Development Company (Zadco), operator of the giant Upper Zakum oilfield, to submit their bids by April 30. The request by Adnoc is seen as an indication that it plans to move ahead with plans to grant all or part of a 28 per cent stake in Zadco to a foreign operator.

The acquisition of 1,500 sq km of a highly-specified 3D OBC (three dimensional, ocean bottom cable) seismic survey, spanning an 18-month period in the Zakum field, is completed.

The major seismic survey, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Co (Adma-Opco), Zakum Development Co (Zakum) and Adnoc, was executed by seismic acquisition contractor Petroleum Geo-Services.

''This was the most complex and intensive ocean bottom cable seismic survey ever to be acquired anywhere in the world,'' says Ali Al Muhairy, manager, Zakum Reservoir Development.

MAY

Following a request for new prices from Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer), international contractors for an unleaded gasoline project in Abu Dhabi are due to submit revised prices soon.

Four international contractors have submitted commercial bids for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract in the original round.

Bukhatir Investment Group company Nitco International, completes a major project involving the construction of hydrogen degassification units for Takreer.

Foster Wheeler International Corporation, the UK subsidiary of the international engineering contractor Foster Wheeler Ltd, is awarded a project management contract (PMC) by Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Ltd (Gasco) for a project to increase production of condensate and natural gas liquids (NGLs).

"It builds on our experience and expertise in managing large, complex projects, in upstream gas processing and our long and successful track record in the Middle East," the chairman and chief executive of Foster Wheeler Energy Limited, says.

TotalFinaElf, BP and Japan Oil Development Company (Jodco) submit a joint bid for a 28 per cent stake in the Zakum Development Company (Zadco), operator of the Upper Zakum field, the world's biggest offshore oilfield.

JUNE

The Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (Adco) invites bids for the engineering, procurement and construction contract on the Bab field development. The project involves a 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) expansion of production capacity at the onshore field. The field presently has a capacity to produce 250,000 bpd. The project is targeted for completion by the end of 2004.

Technical bids are due to be returned by July 16 and a provisional deadline of September 17 is set for the submission of commercial bids.

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for Distribution (Adnoc-Fod) launches the UAE's first major highway petrol station that will provide travellers with a host of services covering petrol, auto technical test, car wash, oil change, food, medicine and other facilities.

JULY

Abu-Dhabi based National Petroleum Construction Co (NPCC), a subsidiary of Adnoc, is awarded the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of offshore facilities of the Al Khalij North development project in Qatar.

Technip Italy SPA has sealed a $480 million deal to build oil processing units at Abu Dhabi's Ruwais refinery, the Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer) says. Technip Italy, a unit of Technip-Coflexip of France, won the turnkey deal to produce unleaded gasoline and low sulphur fuel oil to meet growing demand for environmentally-friendly products in the UAE.

''The project will be completed within a period not exceeding 36 months from the start of work,'' says a company statement.

AUGUST

Adnoc informs its clients that it would cut September export nominations for its Lower and Upper Zakum and Umm Shaif crude grades by six per cent.

Adnoc Distribution is building and modernising some 28 fuel and lubricants stations in the country at a cost of Dh158 million ($43 million), reports say. Work on all these is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Adnoc launches a new project to handle oil waste in a drive to protect the environment and minimise pollution.

The Beiat, or Environment project is being carried out in collaboration with an international company and it involves safe means for the disposal of industrial and oil waste resulting from production and maintenance operations by Adnoc and its affiliated companies.

Around 6,000 tonnes will be handled every year by the new waste plant which will be launched by the end of 2004, according to an Adnoc report.

Adnoc Distribution is building and modernising some 28 fuel and lubricants stations in the country at a cost of Dh158 million. Work on all these is expected to be completed by this year-end.

SEPTEMBER

Petroleum products and distribution companies, Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat) and Adnoc forge a marketing tie-up to help both companies to sell their products in each other's areas without setting up their facilities physically.

French energy services firm Technip-Coflexip signs an agreement to train engineers from Adnoc subsidiary Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (Adma-Opco).

Abu Dhabi Co for Onshore Oil Operations (Adco), a joint venture between Shell Group and Adnoc will increase its capacity from 1.2 million bpd to 1.4 bpd, to be achieved by 2005.

Adnoc FOD signs a million dollar deal as one of the main sponsors of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup to be hosted by the UAE in March and April next year.

OCTOBER

Abu Dhabi completes a major project to boost the production capacity of its giant offshore Zakum oilfield through a successful gas injection process, as part of an overall programme to upgrade the emirate's crude output capability.

The Pilot Gas Injection Project is reported to have been 'successfully accomplished' involving the utilisation of a 4,000 tonne gas injection platform at the field, according to Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (Adma-Opco), one of Zakum's operators.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, open the Borouge Petrochemicals Complex.

The $1.2 billion complex consists of an ethylene-breaking industry with a production capacity of 600,000 tonnes per year and two power star polyethylene lines with a production capacity of 450,000 tonnes per year.

The Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company (Adgas) signs an agreement to sell British Petroleum (BP) up to 750,000 tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas, the British oil major says.

"Adgas will supply BP during the period January 2002 to December 2005 with 300,000 to 750,000 metric tonnes of LNG every year. The agreement could be extended up till the end of 2007," BP says in a statement. The LNG shipments will be delivered on a free-on-board (FOB) basis, initially to markets to Spain.

NOVEMBER

The Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (Adco) shareholders approve plans to develop a production capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day.

General manager Andre van Strijp says the company is embarking on some major developments scheduled to be completion in 2005.

The company, he says, would seek to sustain production from existing fields and look for new production from developed and undeveloped reservoirs.

Adnoc Distribution is to enhance production up to 90,000 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) in the next two to three years, a senior company official says.

In a step towards better environmental and health protection, UAE filling stations will sell only unleaded gasoline from January 1, 2003 and Takreer has set up systems to supply unleaded gasoline in the emirate, official sources confirm.

The Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (Adma-Opco) and National Drilling Company (NDC) renews the lease of nine NDC rigs operating in Adma-Opco's Concession Area (Umm Shaif Field and Zakum Field).

Adma-Opco currently utilises 11 rigs for its offshore drilling operations, in addition to operations undertaken on behalf of Adnoc and Zadco.

Takreer successfully completes the flush-out of lead from the system. A period of three months starting August, was envisaged for completing the flushing out of lead from the system and achieving production of unleaded gasoline.

The Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (Adma-Opco) and National Drilling Company (NDC) renew the lease of nine NDC rigs operating in Adma-Opco's Concession Area (Umm Shaif Field and Zakum Field).

Adma-Opco currently utilises 11 rigs for its offshore drilling operations, in addition to operations undertaken on behalf of Adnoc and Zadco.

DECEMBER

Abu Dhabi plans to introduce compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles in the emirate. In its first phase, the pilot project will provide CNG for 48 taxis through a delivery truck and a filling station at Al Mina.

Fuel retailer Adnoc Distribution says the project will begin late next year and cost $1.5 million. CNG will be sold at half the cost of petrol, Adnoc says. Abu Dhabi and Al Ain will be the first target markets for CNG followed by other emirates.

The Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Co (Adma-Opco) completes one of the largest 3D ocean bottom cable (OBC) seismic surveys at Zakum field.

The company currently produces some 400,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) at its two offshore fields, Zakum and Umm Shaif.

Adnoc said it had reduced the price of a gallon diesel from Dh4.20 ($1.14) to Dh4, in a report.

"With effect from December 15, the retail price of gas oil (diesel) will be reduced by 20 fils per gallon at all Adnoc distribution filing stations," an Adnoc statement says.

Adnoc and affiliated groups embark on a major plan to protect the ozone layer by halting the use of an anti-environment extinguishing gas in line with an international agreement.

The plan involves phasing out the use of halon, a chemical fire extinguishing gas, of which large quantities are used to protect onshore and offshore oil installations.

The plan was launched seven years ago and is expected to be completed five years ahead of schedule.

An Adnoc heavy duty truck laden with nearly 10,000 gallons of jet fuel overturns and catches fire near Abu Dhabi.

The Civil Defence quickly controlled it and said it managed to prevent a disaster.