Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has approved a $6.2 billion investment in the Umm Shaif Gas Cap Project, a major development expected to produce 600 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day.
The output is equivalent to around 10% of the UAE’s daily domestic gas consumption and is expected to strengthen the country’s energy security while supporting industrial expansion and the growing demand from artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The project will also contribute to Adnoc’s plans to expand its liquefied natural gas portfolio as the UAE seeks to make greater use of its large domestic gas reserves.
Adnoc will work on the project with UAE-based TotalEnergies, Italy’s Eni and the China National Petroleum Corporation. As part of the final investment decision, the company awarded three engineering, procurement and construction contracts worth Dh18.8 billion for offshore infrastructure.
The contracts were awarded to consortia made up of Emirati and international companies, supporting the UAE’s efforts to increase local participation in major energy projects.
The UAE has the world’s seventh-largest natural gas reserves, and Adnoc has been increasing investment in the sector as it seeks to expand production and meet rising demand for gas from power generation, industry and new technology projects.
The final investment decision marks the latest stage in Adnoc’s broader gas growth strategy. The company has been working to develop the country’s gas resources while strengthening its position in international energy markets.
The announcement follows Adnoc’s launch of a global platform for marketing and trading liquefied natural gas in the Abu Dhabi Global Market. The company aims to market 47 million tonnes of LNG annually by 2035.
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Chief Executive of Adnoc, said the company was accelerating the implementation of its integrated gas strategy.
He said the approach would help the UAE make greater use of its abundant natural resources while strengthening its position in the global LNG industry.
The Umm Shaif project is expected to play an important role in meeting future domestic energy needs as the UAE expands industrial activity and invests in new technologies, including artificial intelligence and data infrastructure.
Adnoc’s latest investment also reflects the growing importance of natural gas in the UAE’s energy strategy. While the country continues to invest in renewable and lower-carbon energy sources, gas remains central to electricity generation and industrial development.
The project will add to the UAE’s domestic gas production capacity and support the country’s wider plans to improve energy self-suffic
