Al-Shaheen, operated by Maersk Oil Qatar of Denmark, has become one of Qatars most productive oil fields, with production capacity of around 130,000 bbl/d, though production in recent months has been around 110,000 bbl/d. Located in Block-5 about 43 miles off Qatars northeastern coast, al-Shaheen produces a heavy (29 º-33º API) oil with about 2 percent sulphur content. The field is thought to be linked to a section of the North Field.  Current production is around 200,000 bbl/d.  More than 70 new wells are being drilled. Maersk also concluded an agreement with Qatar Petroleum in April 2004 for the development of the Block 5 Extension Area, adjacent to the al-Shaheen field, which producing around 20,000 bbl/d. Maersk signed a $5 billion deal with Qatar in December 2005 for capacity expansions at the al-Shaheen field. The project, which Maersk expects to gradually boost production to 525,000 bbl/d by late 2009, involves the drilling of 160 new wells.