Abu Dhabi Petroleum Products Trading Regulatory Committee Discusses Key Regulations In First Meeting Of 2025

The Abu Dhabi Petroleum Products Trading Regulatory Committee (TRC) recently held its inaugural meeting for 2025. Dr. Saif Saeed Al Qubaisi, Acting Director-General of Regulatory Affairs at the Department of Energy, led the session. Representatives from 21 federal and local government bodies attended. Discussions centred on organising petroleum product trading in the emirate.

ADNOC Distribution kicked off the meeting with insights into the positive impacts of enforcing petroleum trading regulations. They highlighted how these efforts have curtailed grey market activities and reduced malpractices. The Department of Energy and the TRC were acknowledged for their roles in these achievements.

The Committee stressed the importance of sourcing diesel fuel from approved national companies. They urged both public and private sectors to formalise supply agreements with certified national firms. This approach aims to ensure compliance with safety standards as per existing legislation.

ADNOC Distribution also introduced a plan to promote advanced gas cylinders over traditional steel ones. These new cylinders offer enhanced safety features for residential, commercial, and industrial use, especially where centralised LPG systems are absent.

Abu Dhabi Ports presented a project proposal for constructing gas cylinder storage facilities in the ICAD 2 zone. This initiative aims to meet safety and environmental standards effectively.

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure shared its ongoing efforts to regulate petroleum imports into UAE markets. Currently, controls are in place for 98 petroleum materials, with plans to extend this to 211 products within the year.

Regulatory Advancements

The Department of Energy's team updated attendees on their progress in streamlining licensing processes through electronic integration. Their goal is to expedite obtaining petroleum product trading licenses via the DoE’s Unified Platform.

The Permits Working Group shared their recent achievements, while the Inspection and Enforcement Group reported identified violations. The Committee recommended awareness campaigns, site visits, and inspections to curb such malpractices.

Collaborative Efforts

The Committee highlighted the necessity for coordinated inspection campaigns among government entities. These efforts aim to combat illegal trading activities that do not comply with local standards.

The meeting concluded with a focus on enhancing cooperation between stakeholders to ensure adherence to regulations and improve safety measures across all sectors involved in petroleum product trading.

With inputs from WAM