ADNOC, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, has made the final investment decision (FID) for the development of the Ruwais Diab unconventional gas project in Abu Dhabi, which is the company's first major unconventional gas project. This decision was announced on November 2 at the ADIPEC international exhibition.
Details of the Ruwais Diab Project
The Ruwais Diab project is designed to produce 345 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMscfd) starting in 2029 for a duration of 25 years. ADNOC has stated that production from this project could eventually reach 1 billion cubic feet per day (Bcfd). The gas will be processed on-site and transported to the UAE gas network through new infrastructure.
ADNOC has emphasized that supplying additional gas will help increase access to domestic gas, support industrial growth, and enhance liquefied natural gas (LNG) export goals. This project will enable ADNOC to respond to the growing demand both domestically and internationally.
Economic Implications and Energy Security
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO and Chairman of the ADNOC Group and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the UAE, said about this project: "Ruwais Diab is ADNOC's first major unconventional gas development, and this final investment decision marks an important milestone in unlocking Abu Dhabi's vast gas resources. This investment strengthens the UAE's energy security and supports industrial growth. Additionally, it will advance ADNOC's global gas growth strategy to responsibly meet the increasing demand both domestically and internationally."
ADNOC Onshore will execute this project under a design-build-operate (DBO) model. This final decision follows a program that included technical studies, field tests, and subsurface analyses to mitigate development risks. The company has stated that the development will utilize AI-based drilling and completion technologies, aiming to create a scalable platform for future unconventional gas business.
According to ADNOC, the United Arab Emirates has the seventh-largest gas reserves in the world, with 298 trillion cubic feet of conventional gas reserves and 160 trillion cubic feet of unconventional gas resources. The company relies on U.S. shale expertise to further develop these resources and expand its LNG portfolio.
