SNOC brings Hedebah gas-condensate field onstream in under a year

Sharjah National Oil Corporation has completed Phase 1 of the onshore Hedebah gas-condensate field in Sharjah, UAE, more than doubling the company's current gas production levels.

The field, located northeast of the Sajaa gas field, reached first production less than a year after its discovery in May 2024. SNOC announced the milestone without disclosing specific flow rates or reserve figures for the asset, which sits in a mature onshore gas province that has underpinned Sharjah's energy supply for decades.

The takeaway: Sharjah's state operator has converted a fresh discovery into producing infrastructure at a pace few onshore gas projects match.

How did SNOC reach production so quickly?

Following the May 2024 discovery, SNOC ran an accelerated programme of appraisal drilling and well evaluation, then moved straight into construction and installation of gathering infrastructure and commissioning of pipeline facilities.

The compressed timeline did not proceed without friction. The project encountered logistical and procurement difficulties, including disruptions to regional shipping and constraints on the supply of materials. According to SNOC, crews resolved these challenges within the timeframe required to deliver Phase 1 as planned.

A gas-condensate field yields natural gas mixed with liquid hydrocarbons (condensate) that separate at surface conditions, making both a gas stream and a light liquid product available for sale.

The takeaway: fast-track appraisal-to-production delivery, despite supply chain headwinds, is the operational story here.

What did the CEO say?

SNOC CEO Khamis Al Mazrouei framed the startup as a strategic anchor for the emirate.

"Hedebah is one of the most significant gas developments in Sharjah in recent years and a cornerstone of SNOC's long-term growth strategy," Al Mazrouei said.

"Completing Phase 1 and bringing the field into production demonstrates our ability to move quickly from discovery to delivery while supporting the Emirate's growing energy requirements," he said.

He added: "As we move into the next phase of development, Hedebah will play an increasingly important role in strengthening energy security and creating long-term value for Sharjah."

The takeaway: management positions Hedebah as both a supply-security asset and proof of execution speed.

What comes next for Hedebah?

Preparations for the next development phase are already under way, SNOC said. Activities are being brought forward to further increase production capacity by 2027, with the field expected to reach plateau production by 2028.

The company has not yet detailed the scope of Phase 2 — well counts, additional processing capacity or export arrangements remain unannounced — so the 2027 capacity uplift and 2028 plateau stand as stated targets rather than sanctioned project parameters.

The takeaway: watch for Phase 2 sanction details, capacity numbers and any contract awards before the 2027 target date.

What is the Equinor MoU about?

Separately, SNOC signed a memorandum of understanding with Norway's Equinor to examine collaboration in the downstream segment. The agreement covers evaluation of potential joint activities in:

• storage, infrastructure, logistics, trading, supply and transport of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas liquids (NGLs)
• a range of other oil and gas products
• selected areas connected to the energy transition
• potential optimisation of petrochemical storage assets in the UAE

An MoU is a non-binding agreement to study cooperation, so no commercial commitments attach to it yet.

The takeaway: the Equinor pact signals SNOC's intent to extend from upstream production into gas liquids logistics, storage and trading.

The watch item

Hedebah's production build-up through 2027 and its plateau by 2028, plus any conversion of the Equinor MoU into binding downstream agreements, are the milestones to track.

The takeaway: Hedebah's growth curve and the Equinor study outcomes will define SNOC's next two years.