Japan's top oil explorer Inpex Corporation said production has started from Umm Lulu field, an offshore oil field in Abu Dhabi, UAE, which the company jointly developed with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, BP and Total.

In the first phase of development, Inpex said it has commenced oil production from the Umm Lulu oil field by utilizing existing facilities of the Umm Al-Dalkh development, located adjacent to the development located 30 km northwest of Abu Dhabi city.

Impex has been engaged in the oil development business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Japan Oil Development Company (Jodco) in Abu Dhabi for over 40 years.

According to Jodco, the full field development is currently in progress, and after completion, Umm Lulu is expected to produce oil at a peak rate of 105,000 barrels per day (bpd).
 
The oil produced from the Umm Lulu in the first development phase will be transported via an existing subsea pipeline to Zirku Island, and eventually supplied to customers in Japan and other Asian countries as Upper Zakum crude.

A major player in the UAE, Impex owns participating interests in the producing oil fields of Umm Shaif, Lower Zakum, Umm Lulu, Upper Zakum2, Umm Al-Dalkh and Satah.-TradeArabia News Service