ADNOC Leads With Rapid Gas Production At Ras Al Sadr, Establishing New Industry Standards

ADNOC has resumed gas production at the Ras Al Sadr field, marking a significant milestone 75 years after the first exploration well was drilled. In the 1950s, as the Middle East's oil industry was emerging, Abu Dhabi's initial exploratory well was drilled at Ras Al Sadr. Although the well was dry, it laid the foundation for Abu Dhabi's oil and gas industry.

Today, leveraging advanced technology and ADNOC's 3D mega seismic survey, previously undiscovered oil and gas deposits have been identified in Ras Al Sadr. The data from this survey was analysed at ADNOC's Thamama Excellence Centre using advanced digitisation and AI technologies, pinpointing the resources' locations and accelerating their development.

ADNOC achieved production within seven months of discovery, setting a new industry benchmark. Abdulmunim Saif Al Kindy, ADNOC Upstream Executive Director, stated: "The successful restart of operations in the Ras Al Sadr field highlights ADNOC’s commitment to setting new industry standards as we strive to responsibly meet the demands of an ever-changing energy market."

The Ras Al Sadr gas field is projected to produce up to 100 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) per day, equivalent to Sweden’s daily gas needs. Production is expected to reach full capacity by 2026, supporting the UAE’s gas self-sufficiency and meeting global demand.

This achievement is notable as Ras Al Sadr was developed near a residential area. The team worked closely with local communities and the environment, demonstrating ADNOC’s commitment to minimising environmental impact. In-Country Value (ICV) and the development of UAE Nationals were also crucial to the project's success.

Located along the E11 highway, about 45km northeast of Abu Dhabi City, the Ras Al Sadr site will produce natural gas alongside crude oil from a nearby development in the same field. The project is a joint effort between ADNOC and INPEX/JODCO, Japan’s largest oil and gas exploration company, highlighting the strategic energy partnership between the UAE and Japan.

Ras Al Sadr is the second field discovered in this block, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s world-class oil and gas resources' attractiveness. This development not only contributes to the UAE’s energy sector but also reinforces its role in global energy markets.

With inputs from WAM