Sheikh Khaled Reviews ADNOC Growth AI Plans and Global Energy Expansion

Photo:WAM

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, recently led a high-level meeting of the Executive Committee of ADNOC’s Board of Directors at the company’s headquarters. The meeting focused on ADNOC’s financial performance, growth strategy, and future plans to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global energy leader.

During this extensive meeting, Sheikh Khaled reviewed the company’s current operations, achievements, and ongoing projects, while also discussing long-term strategies to ensure ADNOC continues to deliver strong value for the UAE. One of the key highlights was ADNOC’s commitment to adopting artificial intelligence (AI) across its operations. Sheikh Khaled stressed that the company aims to become the most AI-enabled energy company in the world, using advanced technology to enhance productivity, improve decision-making, and optimize operations across oil, gas, and chemical sectors.

Sheikh Khaled also highlighted ADNOC’s domestic growth initiatives. The company is not only producing hydrocarbons but is also creating new local industries and jobs. Through projects like TA’ZIZ, a joint venture with ADQ, ADNOC is developing a major chemicals hub in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Al Dhafra Region. This hub will produce 4.7 million tonnes per year of chemical products, including methanol, low-carbon ammonia, caustic soda, ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride monomer, and polyvinyl chloride. Five of these six projects are currently under construction, while the sixth project is expected to begin later this year. Construction of the ammonia plant is progressing rapidly and is scheduled to be operational by Q4 2026.

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On the international front, Sheikh Khaled reviewed ADNOC’s efforts to expand globally through XRG, its international energy investment arm. In 2025 alone, ADNOC has finalized several important global deals. These include:

• Arcius Energy, a joint venture with bp for upstream gas operations in Egypt.
• ADNOC’s stake in the Absheron gas and condensate field in Azerbaijan.
• Participation in Offshore Block 1 in Turkmenistan.

Sheikh Khaled explained that such international deals are crucial for ADNOC’s strategy to diversify revenue streams and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s influence in the global energy market.

A major focus of the meeting was ADNOC’s trading operations. Sheikh Khaled praised the rapid growth of ADNOC’s global trading business, which recently marked a significant milestone with the opening of a trading office in Geneva, Switzerland. In just five years, ADNOC’s trading operations have created substantial value for the UAE, trained Emirati professionals in international commodity trading, and helped establish Abu Dhabi as a key global trading hub. Sheikh Khaled directed the company to further integrate AI into trading, to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and remain competitive in the evolving global market.

The meeting also discussed ADNOC’s work in unconventional gas development across Abu Dhabi, particularly at the Ruwais Diyab field. ADNOC is implementing advanced technology and AI to enhance drilling efficiency, reduce costs, and increase overall productivity. Sheikh Khaled emphasized that developing Abu Dhabi’s unconventional gas resources is essential not only to support domestic gas self-sufficiency but also to meet growing international energy demand. He urged ADNOC to continue collaborating with international partners to unlock the full potential of the UAE’s hydrocarbon resources.

Sheikh Khaled also reflected on a historic milestone for Abu Dhabi’s energy sector. 2025 marks 75 years since the UAE drilled its first oil well at Ras Al Sadr, laying the foundation for the country’s modern energy industry. He praised the UAE’s resilience, foresight, and commitment to excellence, noting that this milestone has allowed Abu Dhabi to diversify its economy while responsibly harnessing its oil and gas resources to generate long-term value for future generations.

In addition, ADNOC is actively working to empower UAE Nationals by training them for leadership roles in critical sectors. Sheikh Khaled reviewed initiatives that aim to equip Emirati professionals with skills in global energy markets, advanced technology, and international trading. This aligns with ADNOC’s long-term strategy of sustaining local talent and knowledge transfer.

The meeting was attended by several senior UAE officials, including:

• Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, ADNOC CEO and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology.
• Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.
• Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention.
• Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, CEO of Mubadala Investment Company.
• Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance.
• Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.

Sheikh Khaled concluded the meeting by emphasizing that ADNOC must continue to focus on innovation, technology adoption, global partnerships, and sustainable growth. By doing so, ADNOC is expected to remain resilient, competitive, and capable of delivering maximum value to Abu Dhabi and the UAE, securing the country’s position as a global energy leader for decades to come.

This meeting underscores ADNOC’s vision to harness advanced technologies, explore new markets, and strengthen the UAE’s energy sector. It also highlights the UAE’s continued commitment to economic diversification, technology-driven growth, and leadership in the global energy industry.