The Umm Shaif Gas Cap project builds on ADNOC’s wider strategy to unlock the UAE’s gas resources
ADNOC has approved a final investment decision (FID) worth $6.2 billion (AED22.6 billion) to develop the Umm Shaif Gas Cap, marking another major step in its strategy to expand natural gas production and strengthen the UAE’s position as a reliable global energy supplier.
Developed in partnership with TotalEnergies, Eni and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the project is expected to unlock more than 600 million standard cubic feet per day (scfd) of natural gas and associated gas liquids, equivalent to almost 10% of the UAE’s current daily gas consumption. Production is expected to commence by 2030.
The investment forms part of ADNOC’s broader integrated gas growth strategy, which aims to increase domestic gas production while expanding the company’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) portfolio to meet growing demand from both local and international markets. The expansion also supports rising energy requirements driven by industrial development and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, said the project represents another significant milestone in the company’s long-term gas strategy.
“ADNOC is accelerating its integrated gas strategy to further harness the UAE’s vast gas resources and expand our global LNG platform, as global demand for natural gas continues to rise. The Umm Shaif Gas Cap FID is another important milestone in delivering this strategy and reinforcing ADNOC’s position as a reliable gas supplier. Together with our international partners, we are building on decades of responsible stewardship of Abu Dhabi’s longest-operating offshore field to unlock lasting value for the UAE and our customers,” he said.
The development reinforces the UAE’s ambitions to enhance energy security while supporting global demand for lower-carbon energy. The country holds the world’s seventh-largest proven natural gas reserves and continues to invest heavily in expanding production capacity.
The announcement follows the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs’ approval of the Bab Gas Cap concession, which is expected to unlock a further 1.5 billion scfd of natural gas and associated gas liquids. It also comes after ADNOC established a global LNG marketing and trading platform within Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), supporting its ambition to reach 47 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of marketable LNG capacity by 2035.
As part of the latest investment, ADNOC has awarded three engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts worth a combined $5.1 billion (AED18.8 billion) to consortiums comprising leading UAE and international contractors to deliver the project’s offshore infrastructure.
The development programme also includes a $365 million (AED1.3 billion) drilling campaign, under which ADNOC Drilling will deliver a 14-well programme over an 18-month period using three existing offshore rigs.
The Umm Shaif Gas Cap project builds on ADNOC’s wider strategy to unlock the UAE’s gas resources, increase LNG exports and strengthen the country’s role as a dependable supplier in the evolving global energy market.
