The latest
Adnoc is expanding the UAE’s gas supply through the Umm Shaif Gas Cap project in partnership with TotalEnergies, Eni and China National Petroleum Corp. The final investment decision reflects the company’s expectation that demand for natural gas will continue to grow in the coming years.
The development includes offshore infrastructure and the drilling of 14 wells. Production is scheduled to begin in 2030 and reach as much as 600 million cubic feet a day. That volume would equal roughly one-tenth of the country’s current gas consumption, helping meet domestic demand and improve the resilience of its energy system.
The investment comes as Adnoc unlocks additional domestic gas reserves and expands its global liquefied natural gas portfolio. The company is also more than doubling Abu Dhabi’s LNG export capacity and consolidating trading operations into a platform expected to handle 47 million tons annually by 2035.
Details
- Project value: The approved investment totals $6.2 billion.
- Offshore contracts: The decision includes three infrastructure contracts worth a combined $5.1 billion.
- Drilling program: Adnoc Drilling will undertake a $365 million program covering 14 wells.
- Production target: The project is expected to produce up to 600 million cubic feet of gas a day.
- Development partners: Adnoc is working with TotalEnergies, Eni and China National Petroleum Corp.
- Wider plan: The company has allocated $150 billion for five years of spending on additional production capacity and international expansion.
Between the lines
The project is designed to do more than add new supply. It can reduce dependence on external sources during periods of market disruption while supporting Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a larger LNG production and trading hub without slowing its oil-capacity expansion.
What’s next
The next phase will involve executing the offshore contracts and drilling the wells ahead of the planned 2030 start. Progress at Umm Shaif, alongside the Bab Gas Cap development and expanded LNG capacity, will determine how quickly the UAE moves toward greater gas self-sufficiency.
