Wintershall Dea celebrates ten years in Abu Dhabi

Wintershall Dea celebrates ten years in Abu Dhabi this December and sees the UAE as a growth region.

CEO Mario Mehren says: “We came here in 2010 with the intention of making the Middle East a growth region for the company. We were confident that our ‘Made in Germany’ technical capabilities, and our commitment to long-term trusting relationships would enable us to unlock project opportunities. So it has proved. We are now proud to be a partner to ADNOC for the Ghasha Concession, and we look forward to playing our part in delivering the project in the coming years.”

The company with German roots and headquarters in Kassel and Hamburg first set up a representative office in the Emirate in 2010. In 2012 Wintershall Dea inked an agreement with ADNOC to lead technical appraisal of the Shuwaihat sour gas and condensate field, successfully delivering two test wells in 2015 and 2017 – proving its capabilities drilling technical challenging wells. In 2018, Wintershall Dea achieved its breakthrough project in the region with a stake in the Ghasha Concession mega project. Ghasha comprises of nine offshore fields containing gas – partially sour and ultra-sour – as well as oil and condensate. At its maximum phase, the project is set to deliver 120,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. Wintershall Dea holds a forty year, 10 per cent stake, alongside the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) as operator, as well as ENI, OMV and Lukoil.

Growth built on technical excellence and partnership

Wintershall Dea brings to the Middle East over 120 years heritage of German engineering excellence, and capabilities that make it an attractive partner for the Ghasha project. Chief Operating Officer Dawn Summers, who holds Board-level responsibility for the Middle East and North Africa region, explains. “Ghasha is tailor-made to suit our expertise. We have sixty years’ experience with sour gas in Germany, working safely and to the highest standards. We know operating from artificial islands in sensitive marine areas, thanks to our long production at Mittelplate in the Wadden Sea National Park in Germany. Ghasha isn’t just about a financial investment. With the project we want to build a long and trusting partnership with ADNOC. So we are committed to sharing our expertise in these areas, as well as in digitalisation and other innovations, to have a positive impact on the project’s development.” 

At home in Abu Dhabi, now a growth region for the company

According to Helge Beuthan, Managing Director for Wintershall Dea Middle East, the team enjoys its new home.  “Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates is an invigorating place to live and to do business. It’s future-focused and is investing heavily in impressive innovations, particularly in the digital sphere. And it’s an open-minded place where a diverse and talented team like ours can participate. We have lots to bring to the table here, but we can also learn very much from our Emirati friends.”

Mario Mehren agrees that Abu Dhabi is now a part of the Wintershall Dea establishment. “Back in 2010 our company had no presence in the Middle East. Now we are a part of one of the biggest projects in the region, and we know that Abu Dhabi will be an important part of our business for decades to come.”