For the purpose of further development of the Al Shaheen Field, a new development plan was prepared by Maersk Oil in cooperation with Qatar Petroleum in early 1996. Implementation of the development plan was initiated in March 1996 - more than two years ahead of the time schedule visualized in 1992. The development plan - including both primary and secondary recovery schemes - contained provisions for three platforms and up to 70 horizontal wells. The facilities were inaugurated in December 1998.

The next plan for development of the Al Shaheen Field was prepared in cooperation with Qatar Petroleum and agreed in February 2001. The Al Shaheen Field Development Plan 2001 comprises 40 new production wells, 20 new water injection wells and conversion of 14 existing wells to water injection, as well as new production platforms, facilities for gas compression and a gas export pipeline to Qatar Petroleum’s North Field Alpha Platform, offshore Qatar. The new Al Shaheen facilities were inaugurated by his Exellency the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industries in February 2005.

In December 2005 Maersk Oil and Qatar Petroleum agreed on a plan for further development of the Al Shaheen Field.  The development plan includes drilling of more than 160 additional horizontal production and water injection wells as well as construction of 15 new platforms and 300 km pipelines/cables.  As part of the plan, Maersk Oil will build and operate additional facilities for gathering and delivery of associated gas to Qatar Petroleum for utilisation at their onshore plants.  Implementation of the development plan is ongoing. 

See also Press Release of 20 December 2005