U.K.-based energy giant BP PLC (BP.LN) has been invited back to bid for
a renewal of its stake in Abu Dhabi's oil concession and the Abu Dhabi National
Oil Co., or ADNOC, aims to announce a shortlist of bidders soon, an oil
official from the United Arab Emirates told Dow Jones Newswires Thursday.
Although the oil concession doesn't garner much income for BP it is important
for the company to retain its foothold in the concession. It is also a chance
for BP to improve the terms of the contract, which currently only brings in
revenue of around $50 million a year, when the concession expires in 2014.
The invitation for BP to bid appeared to be under threat earlier this year
after ADNOC sent out invitations in June to oil companies to bid for the renewed
rights but didn't send one to BP.
However, the UAE oil official said that U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron's
recent visit to the Middle East helped smooth the process and that ADNOC hoped
to announce a shortlist of bidders soon.
"BP has been allowed back in the bidding process, and has been informed it
can submit its bid for the concession," the UAE oil official said.
A BP spokesman said: "We're looking forward to hearing the government's
plan on concession renewal in due course. We've been present in
Abu
Dhabi
for over 70 years and we hope to play a continued
role in this concession over the next 40 to 50 years."
The concession, which is mostly onshore oil fields, brings in around $50
million a year in revenues to BP, based on around $1 a barrel for the
approximate 125,000 barrels a day of oil that accrue to BP from the project.
Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Operations, or ADCO, operates the concessions. ADNOC
is a 60% shareholder in ADCO, BP has 9.5%. Other shareholders are Royal Dutch
Shell PLC (RDSB.LN) with 9.5%, Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) with 9.5%, Total SA
(TOT) with 9.5% and Partex Oil & Gas with 2%.
ADNOC became a partner in the fields in the 1970s, forming ADCO, which has the
rights for six main deposits until 2014. It is the largest concession with
capacity to produce about 1.4 and 1.5 million barrels per day.
ADNOC
wasn't immediately available for comment.