Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is the state-owned oil company of Abu Dhabi, established in 1971 and wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi government.

It is one of the world's largest energy producers, currently ranked as the 12th largest oil company by production with an output capacity exceeding 4 million barrels per day. ADNOC operates across the entire energy value chain, including upstream exploration and production, midstream transportation, and downstream refining and marketing.

Its operations encompass onshore and offshore oil and gas fields, with 16 subsidiary companies managing various aspects such as drilling, refining, logistics, and distribution.

The company’s origins trace back to the first geological survey in Abu Dhabi in 1935 and early exploration efforts led by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father who envisioned harnessing the emirate’s rich hydrocarbon resources.

ADNOC has grown substantially since, pioneering oil exploration in the region and evolving into a fully integrated energy group. It manages significant oil reserves, estimated at around 105 billion barrels, most of which are in Abu Dhabi. ADNOC operates two major refineries and exports natural gas as liquefied natural gas (LNG), supplying power, water, petrochemical industries, and reinjecting gas for reservoir pressure maintenance.

In recent years, ADNOC has pursued diversification with investments in chemicals and petrochemicals, as well as sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and advancing lower-carbon solutions.

The company has committed substantial funding to decarbonization and clean energy technologies to achieve net zero emissions by 2045 and zero methane emissions by 2030. ADNOC has also engaged in significant partnerships and foreign direct investments with global companies, enhancing its technical expertise and expanding its market reach.

It remains a strategic catalyst for Abu Dhabi’s economic growth and energy sector development, balancing traditional hydrocarbon production with innovative approaches to energy transition and sustainability. ADNOC's headquarters is a prominent skyscraper complex in Abu Dhabi, symbolizing its stature as a global oil and gas industry leader.

Moreover, ADNOC is a well-recognized brand in the UAE, sponsoring major events such as the Abu Dhabi Marathon. Its history and development reflect the broader trajectory of the UAE’s emergence as a major energy powerhouse and its ongoing evolution into a diversified energy company focused on the future.