The Korean consortium, formed by state-run Korea National Oil Corp. and GS Energy, is expected to produce some 100 million barrels of crude oil in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, KNOC said.

The KNOC-led consortium said that it has completed a drill stem test, which aims to examine the pressure, permeability and productive capacity of a geological formation during the drilling of a well, for producing 200,000 barrels a day at the onshore Haliba field, also called Area 1.

Through an array of technical evaluations, the KNOC confirmed that it could commercially produce around 30 percent more oil compared to appraisals made in March 2012

In 2012, the consortium signed a multibillion-dollar deal with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or ADNOC, to develop three new oil fields.

Haliba’s oil is believed to be a close chemical match to Abu Dhabi’s flagship Murban crude. Haliba is one of three exploration blocks in which the Korean partners hold a 40 percent joint interest. ADNOC holds the remainder.

The project involves two onshore and one offshore field and it was for the first time that a non-European or U.S. partner has waded into oil exploration and production in the Gulf.

Crude oil production in Haliba field is expected to begin at the end of 2017. The consortium is evaluating Area 2 and Area 3 after gathering 3-D physical exploration data.

By Park Han-na (hnpark@heraldcorp.com)