Zakum Development Company (Zadco) will put $4 billion (£2.45 billion) worth of new engineering, procurement and construction contracts up for tender over the next year and a half, it has been claimed.

Speaking to Gulf News on condition of anonymity, a source close to Zadco declared: "There are four major packages and there are three packages still to be tendered. The tendering will be next year and will be in phases.

Zadco is mandated to develop the upper Zakum field and is a joint venture between Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (Adnoc), ExxonMobil and Japan Oil Development.

Adnoc, which mandated Zadco to operate in the field, operates a rigorous Emeritisation programme that supports nationals looking to enter the oil and gas industry with vocational training modules.

Although training is prioritised for Emiratis in order to meet national targets, the company welcomes all employees to take part in the career enhancement programme.

Getenergy event for GCC countries November 2009