Abu Dhabi's Department Of Energy Sets New Benchmarks For Gas Safety And Compliance

The Department of Energy – Abu Dhabi (DoE) has unveiled a regulatory roadmap for the petroleum products sector, focusing on gas systems in various establishments. This initiative aims to enhance safety across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The announcement was made during the DoE’s first Gas Safety and Compliance workshop, attended by 200 key representatives from government and private sectors.

Dr. Saif Saeed Al Qubaisi, Acting Director-General for Regulation at DoE, highlighted the collective responsibility of both sectors in ensuring a safe energy future. "Safety is more than just a regulatory requirement; it is a shared responsibility that must be prioritised throughout the gas value chain," he stated. He emphasised the importance of safe gas usage in all sectors, from operators to homeowners.

The new regulations will introduce comprehensive safety standards, protocols, and controls for all gas-related activities. These include penalties for non-compliance and the establishment of a mandatory register of certified gas companies, engineers, operators, and inspectors. The reforms aim to safeguard communities in Abu Dhabi by addressing unsafe practices and promoting socioeconomic growth.

Ahmed Alsheebani, Acting Petroleum Products Sector Executive Director at DoE, expressed optimism about the sector's progress. "I’m pleased to say that compliance to safety standards are encouraging. But much work remains to grow a culture of voluntary safety compliance. Safety will always remain our number one priority and with government and private sectors’ stakeholders, we still have more to accomplish."

The DoE has been working with other Abu Dhabi partners to issue essential compliance documents such as gas system certificates of completion and LPG filling permits. This year alone, over 4,000 LPG filling permits have been issued. These efforts are part of a broader regulatory overhaul aimed at improving sector efficiency and public safety.

In June this year, the DoE launched its ‘Petroleum and Gas Systems Summer Readiness Campaign’. This initiative helps establishments meet safety standards and navigate upcoming regulatory changes. Throughout the summer, DoE teams engaged with various stakeholders across Abu Dhabi city, Al Ain, Sila, Mussafah, and Al Dhafra.

Achievements in Safety Campaigns

The DoE has conducted safety awareness campaigns through its LPG Systems Safety Enhancement Programme over the past year. Inspections were carried out in over 11,000 buildings and food establishments; around 1,700 required safety upgrades with 700 completed so far. Additionally, about 160 abandoned buildings were safely isolated.

During these visits, they covered a range of establishments including restaurants, bakeries, hotels, hospitals, universities, workers' villages, and industrial plants. Ahmed Alsheebani led over 20 site visits reaching more than 120,000 stakeholders during the summer campaign.

Dr. Saif Saeed Al Qubaisi reiterated that using gas safely is crucial for everyone involved in residential to industrial sectors. He stressed that it is imperative for operators and contractors to ensure safe practices are followed diligently.

Commitment to Ongoing Training

Alsheebani urged stakeholders to commit to safety standards by investing in ongoing worker training and adhering to regulatory requirements. "Complying with safety protocols protects lives and the community," he said. He also noted that adherence brings significant benefits like enhanced operational efficiency and improved business reputation.

The presentation precedes the release of ‘Executive Regulations for Gas Systems’ which will set wide-ranging safety standards for all gas-related activities. These regulations aim to transform current practices by establishing stringent controls and penalties for non-compliance.

This regulatory roadmap is part of broader reforms giving DoE oversight of gas system safety across Abu Dhabi. The goal is not only to enforce compliance but also to drive best practices within the sector for public safety benefits.

The Department’s efforts reflect its commitment towards building safer communities through stringent regulatory measures and collaborative efforts with various stakeholders across Abu Dhabi.

With inputs from WAM