Turnwell Initiates First Well Drilling, Ushering New Phase For Abu Dhabi’s Energy Sector

Turnwell, a new joint venture by ADNOC Drilling, has commenced operations by drilling its first well in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region. This marks a significant milestone in unlocking Abu Dhabi's unconventional energy resources.

Abu Dhabi's unconventional resources are estimated at 220 billion barrels of unconventional oil and 460 trillion cubic feet of unconventional gas. The gas alone could meet the UAE's annual consumption for approximately 180 years. "Unconventionals" refers to oil and gas trapped in underground reservoirs that need advanced technologies for extraction.

Turnwell was established through a strategic partnership involving ADNOC Drilling, Schlumberger Middle East SA, and Patterson-UTI International Holdings. These partners bring extensive regional and international experience, along with a proven track record in delivering projects using cutting-edge innovations like AI-enabled smart drilling design.

In May, Turnwell secured an initial Dh6.24 billion contract from ADNOC to deliver the first 144 wells in a major campaign aimed at unlocking Abu Dhabi's vast unconventional energy resources. This contract is part of Turnwell's ongoing efforts to enable the recovery of these vital resources for years to come.

Enersol, another new business by ADNOC Drilling, will support Turnwell by focusing on AI-enabled smart technologies to maximise operational efficiency. Enersol aims to drive down costs and improve key metrics such as well delivery times while supporting local manufacturing in Abu Dhabi.

Abdulmunim Al Kindy, ADNOC Upstream Executive Director and ADNOC Drilling Board Deputy Chairman, stated, "Turnwell marks a new era in Abu Dhabi's energy industry as we establish a UAE growth champion to unlock our nation's world-class unconventional energy resources."

The creation of Turnwell is expected to generate significant economic benefits by tapping into advanced drilling technologies both locally and globally. This will help efficiently, safely, and responsibly unlock these resources. Enersol's focus on acquiring companies that can be brought to Abu Dhabi will also reduce the supply chain significantly.

"The start of unconventional oil and gas development in Abu Dhabi unleashes a new sector of growth opportunities for our industry as we continue to responsibly and reliably meet the growing demand for energy from our customers globally," added Al Kindy.

ADNOC Drilling remains a crucial driver of the UAE's prosperity by enabling both conventional and unconventional capacity growth. With Turnwell providing demand for advanced tech solutions and Enersol delivering on the supply side, this emerging energy-tech ecosystem is poised for rapid growth.