ADNOC to Develop Umm Shaif Offshore Field to Incorporate Over 600 Million Cubic Feet Per Day of Gas from 2030.
Abu Dhabi’s state-owned company, ADNOC, made the Final Investment Decision (FID) to develop the Umm Shaif gas project alongside TotalEnergies, Eni, and China National Petroleum Corporation. The investment amounts to $6.2 billion and is part of the company’s strategy to expand natural gas production in the United Arab Emirates.
The development will enable the recovery of over 600 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas and associated gas liquids. This volume is equivalent to approximately 10% of the country’s current daily gas consumption, according to data reported for the project.
Furthermore, ADNOC expects to commence production in 2030. The initiative will strengthen domestic supply and increase the group’s capacity to meet the energy demand of industrial customers and international markets.
Umm Shaif Gas to Expand Abu Dhabi’s Energy Production
The project will be executed in Umm Shaif, one of the offshore fields with the longest operational history within the ADNOC portfolio. Its development will allow the utilization of resources located in the field’s gas cap and connect them to existing energy infrastructure in Abu Dhabi.
The Final Investment Decision (FID) confirms that the project has passed the necessary technical, commercial, and financial stages to proceed to construction. Engineering, equipment procurement, installation of offshore infrastructure, and drilling will commence from this phase.
Due to its scale, the Umm Shaif gas project becomes a relevant component of ADNOC’s upstream growth. The company seeks to increase gas supply to meet electricity consumption and industrial expansion in the United Arab Emirates.
Likewise, the group links the increase in demand to the growth of data centers, artificial intelligence projects, and industrial facilities that require a stable energy supply.
Three EPC Contracts to Concentrate Offshore Infrastructure
The investment includes three Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) packages valued at $5.1 billion. The contracts will cover large-scale offshore infrastructure and will be executed by consortia comprising contractors from the United Arab Emirates and international companies.
These EPC packages represent the majority of the approved budget. Their scope includes the systems required to extract, process, and transport the gas produced from the offshore field.
The program also incorporates the drilling of 14 wells. ADNOC Drilling will execute the work over an estimated period of 18 months using three rigs already part of its operational fleet.
The integrated drilling services are valued at approximately $365 million. The use of existing rigs will allow leveraging available equipment and reducing mobilization needs for the campaign.
TotalEnergies, Eni, and CNPC Participate in the Development
ADNOC will develop Umm Shaif with TotalEnergies, Eni, and CNPC, companies that hold stakes in Abu Dhabi’s energy assets. The presence of these partners brings technical expertise and financial capacity to execute a large-scale offshore project.
The cooperation also reflects the international concession model used by the United Arab Emirates to attract capital and technology to the energy sector. Under this structure, ADNOC retains operational leadership while sharing risks and investments with foreign companies.
The project joins other gas growth initiatives promoted by the company. These include the development of the Bab field, whose concession contemplates an additional estimated production of 1.5 billion standard cubic feet per day of natural gas and associated liquids.
ADNOC Connects Umm Shaif with its Global Gas Strategy
The investment in Umm Shaif is part of a broader strategy to increase domestic production and expand ADNOC’s international presence in the liquefied natural gas market.
The company is developing a global LNG marketing and trading platform at the Abu Dhabi Global Market. Its goal is to achieve a combined marketable capacity of 47 million tons per annum by 2035.
In this context, Umm Shaif gas will contribute to strengthening the energy security of the United Arab Emirates and sustaining the growth of energy-intensive sectors. It will also allow ADNOC to expand its offering in a market where natural gas maintains a relevant role as fuel for power generation and industry.
With production expected to start in 2030, the project will open a new stage of development for the offshore field. Its execution will now depend on the progress of the EPC contracts, the drilling campaign, and the integration of the new infrastructure with existing facilities.
Source and photo: ADNOC