Adnoc moves Fujairah LNG terminal project to Ruwais

3 May 2023

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has announced it will move forward with a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal project in Ruwais Industrial City in Abu Dhabi’s Al-Dhafrah region.

Adnoc did not specify the project, but sources identified it as the planned LNG terminal project in the UAE emirate of Fujairah.

US-headquartered energy industry contractor McDermott International is performing the front-end engineering and design (feed) contract for the Fujairah LNG terminal project. US-based consultancy firm KBR was selected to provide project management consultancy (PMC) services.

In early March, MEED reported that Adnoc Gas, which is executing the project on behalf of its parent entity Adnoc Group, had started an early engagement process with contractors for the planned Fujairah LNG export terminal.

Adnoc Gas organised a site visit between 14-16 February for contractors shortlisted for the Fujairah LNG project’s engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) phase. It was expected to issue the main EPC tender during the second quarter.

The relocation of the project from the UAE’s geopolitically strategic emirate of Fujairah, which sits outside the Strait of Hormuz on the coast of the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, to Ruwais on the Gulf coast in Abu Dhabi is a significant development.

“As part of the design phase, Adnoc announced today that its world-class low-carbon LNG growth project will move forward in the Al-Ruwais Industrial City, Al-Dhafrah, Abu Dhabi.

“As an operational hub for Adnoc and its operating companies, the selected location offers significant synergies and existing infrastructure that will be leveraged to deliver project efficiencies, unlocking additional value for Adnoc, its partners and the UAE,” Adnoc said. 

“Following a comprehensive evaluation of location options during the ongoing design phase, the proximity of Al-Ruwais to Adnoc’s current operations, as well as its future growth projects, in addition to a well-established local supplier base were important considerations in the company’s decision.

“Through its planned LNG growth project, Adnoc intends to more than double its LNG production capacity to meet increased global demand for natural gas. The plant, which is designed with electric-powered processing facilities, will run on renewable and nuclear grid power, making it one of the lowest carbon intensity LNG facilities in the world,” Adnoc added. 

Planned LNG terminal

The LNG export terminal will have the capacity to process and ship approximately 9.6 million tonnes a year (t/y) of LNG, mainly to Pakistan, India and China, and other key markets in Asia such as Japan and South Korea. It will comprise two trains, each with a capacity of 4.8 million t/y.

The overall value of the planned project is estimated to be upwards of $4.5bn, based on capital expenditure (capex) by operators on similar schemes worldwide.

The project will also feature process units, storage tanks, an export jetty for loading cargoes and LNG bunkering, utilities, flare handling systems and associated buildings.

Regarding gas feedstock for the planned Fujairah LNG complex, Adnoc Gas aimed to build a 364-kilometre-long, 52-inch pipeline from one of its main gas processing facilities in Abu Dhabi’s Habshan to transport gas at a starting pressure rate of 78 barg and arrival pressure rate of 40 barg.

Adnoc Gas was understood to have allocated a capex budget of $680m for this feedstock pipeline, a core component of the Fujairah LNG facility, according to sources.

The project also requires designs for electric-powered rotary equipment and compressors instead of gas-fired units.

Previously, the following consortiums of contractors were understood to have formed for the main EPC contract tendering phase of the LNG project:

  • Technip Energies (France) JGC Corporation (Japan) / National Petroleum Construction Company (UAE)
  • McDermott (US) Saipem (Italy) / Hyundai Engineering & Construction (South Korea)

Adnoc’s plans to build a major LNG export terminal in Fujairah were understood to be the outcome of a pre-feasibility study that US-based KBR performed in 2020 – known as ‘Project Aladdin’ – to determine the most effective use of a plot of land that Adnoc owns in the UAE emirate that sits outside the Strait of Hormuz.

Major LNG producer

Adnoc Gas produces about 6 million t/y of LNG from its facilities on Das Island, located off the Abu Dhabi coast.

The company also supplies 1 billion cubic feet of gas a day to the UAE’s national grid. It is a gas and LNG provider to other utilities companies, portfolio players and commodity traders overseas.

Adnoc Gas’ supplies are exported from Das Island and Ruwais by Adnoc Logistics & Services, another Adnoc Group subsidiary.

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/10808507/main.jpg
Indrajit Sen
Related Articles
  • Abu Dhabi seeks firms for Mid Island Parkway PPP

    15 May 2026

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Modon Infrastructure, formerly known as Gridora, has invited firms to submit their registrations for the next phase of Abu Dhabi’s Mid Island Parkway Project (MIPP), which will be developed on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis.

    The request for qualifications (RFQ) is expected to be issued to interested parties soon.

    Modon Infrastructure will act as the lead developer with the majority of the equity in the project company. It will award the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor, the operations and maintenance providers, and the advisers.

    The second phase of the MIPP involves the construction of about 11 kilometres (km) of highways, including a mix of three-, four- and five-lane highways. The highways will connect the Um-Yifeenah, Al-Jubail, Al-Sammaliyyah and Sas Al-Nakhl islands to Khalifa City and the E10 road.

    The scope also covers the construction of three interchanges: the E20, E10 and Dumbbell interchanges on Al-Sammaliyyah Island.

    The project includes several major structures, such as the E20 interchange featuring cast-in-place box girder and void slab bridges, and the E10 interchange with cast-in-place box girder bridges. It also includes I-girder bridges between Raha Beach West and Sas Al-Nakhl Island, as well as a causeway at Sas Al-Nakhl Island.

    Further key elements include a cast-in-place balanced cantilever bridge between Sas Al-Nakhl Island and Al-Sammaliyyah Island, a tunnel between Al-Sammaliyyah Island and Bilrimaid Island, and a cut-and-cover (open) tunnel on Bilrimaid Island. The project is completed with another tunnel connecting Bilrimaid Island to Um-Yifeenah Island.

    Abu Dhabi awarded three packages for phase one of the MIPP in 2024. The contract for package 1A was awarded to a joint venture of Turkish contractor Dogus Construction and UAE firm Gulf Contractors. Package 1B was awarded to a joint venture of Yas Projects (Alpha Dhabi Holding) and China Railway International Group. Beijing-headquartered China Harbour Engineering Company and the UAE’s Agility Engineering & Contracting Company won the contract for package 1C.

    Phase one starts at the existing Saadiyat interchange, connecting the E12 to the MIPP, and ends at the recently constructed Um-Yifeenah highway. 

    It comprises a dual main road with a total length of 8km, including four traffic lanes in each direction, two interchanges, a tunnel and associated infrastructure works.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16858325/main.jpg
    Colin Foreman
  • Oman seeks adviser for gas-fired IPPs

    15 May 2026

    Oman’s Nama Power & Water Procurement Company (PWP) has issued a request for proposals for technical consultancy services for the development of new gas-fired independent power projects (IPPs) in the sultanate.

    The state offtaker said the projects will have a total capacity of up to 2,800MW.

    The bid submission deadline is 17 June.

    While Oman is accelerating investment in renewable energy and battery storage, gas-fired thermal generation is expected to remain a core part of the country’s power mix over the coming decade.

    The Misfah and Duqm combined-cycle gas turbine power plants are advancing towards construction following the appointment of China-headquartered Shandong Electric Power Construction No. 3 Company (Sepco 3) and South Korea’s Doosan Enerbility as contractors.

    According to Nama PWP’s 2025 annual report, the Duqm IPP will have a total capacity of 877MW, including 555MW of early power capacity, which is scheduled to commence in Q2 2028.

    The Misfah IPP will have a total capacity of 1,700MW, including 1,203MW of early power capacity, which is scheduled to commence in the same quarter.

    Nama PWP has also recently awarded new power-purchase agreements (PPAs) to three IPPs to extend the operating life of existing gas-fired power plants beyond the expiry of their current contracts.

    The new agreements for the 750MW Sohar 2 IPP and 750MW Barka 3 IPP will take effect on 1 April 2028 and run until 31 March 2043. The agreement for the 200MW Sur IPP will commence on 1 April 2029 and run until 31 March 2044.

    The awards form part of Nama PWP’s 2028-29 procurement programme. The programme aims to secure firm generation capacity from existing assets whose current PPAs are due to expire during that period.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16857037/main4750.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Alghanim submits lowest offer for Kuwait oil refinery project

    15 May 2026

    Kuwait’s Alghanim International General Trading & Contracting has submitted the lowest bid for a contract to upgrade the country’s Mina Al-Ahmadi (MAA) refinery.

    The client is state-owned downstream operator Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC). The project scope covers upgrades to water transmission and storage infrastructure at the refinery.

    The contract will be delivered under an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) model. The tender was issued in October 2025 with an initial bid deadline of 4 January 2026, which was later extended several times. The most recent rescheduling moved the deadline from 19 April to 10 May.

    Alghanim submitted a bid of KD37.0m ($120m), significantly lower than the other two bidders, both Kuwait-based: Heavy Engineering Industries & Shipbuilding Company (Heisco) at KD60.6m ($197m) and Gulf Spic General Trading & Contracting at KD63.9m ($207m).

    The project is expected to take two years to complete and will expand water storage capacity at the facility by extending existing tanks or constructing new ones. The contractor will also develop associated infrastructure and upgrade systems that transport desalinated water to the refinery, including pipelines and related equipment.

    In its 2024-25 annual report, KNPC said the project will help meet water demand for the facility’s refining and gas production units.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16852744/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • Civil and piping work starts on Iraq field development

    15 May 2026

     

    Civil works and piping work have started for the project to develop a second central processing facility (CPF) at Iraq’s Ratawi oil and gas field, according to industry sources.

    The project is part of the $27bn Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP), which is being developed by TotalEnergies along with its partners Basra Oil Company (BOC) and Qatar Energy.

    Phase one of the GGIP is expected to be worth about $10bn.

    Work is progressing on the project despite logistical problems related to the regional conflict that broke out after the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February.

    While early works are ongoing, equipment needed for later stages of the project is being delayed as it was due to be transported to the project site using ships that would have travelled through the Strait of Hormuz.

    Shipping through the Strait is still severely disrupted due to the regional conflict.

    In September, Turkiye’s Enka signed a contract to develop the second CPF at Iraq’s Ratawi field as part of the second phase of the field’s development.

    Enka did not give a value for the contract, but it is believed to be worth more than $1bn.

    In November, US-based KBR was selected by Enka to provide detailed design services for the project.

    Enka’s contract covers the engineering, procurement, supply, construction and commissioning of the CPF for the project known as the Associated Gas Upstream Project Phase 2 (AGUP2).

    The aim of the AGUP2 project is to process oil and associated gas from the Ratawi oil field to increase production capacity to 210,000 barrels a day of oil and 154 million standard cubic feet a day of gas.

    GGIP masterplan

    The GGIP programme is being led by TotalEnergies, the operator, which holds a 45% stake.

    Basra Oil Company and QatarEnergy hold 30% and 25% stakes, respectively. The consortium formalised the investment agreement with the Iraqi government in September 2021.

    The four projects that comprise the GGIP are:

    • The Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP)
    • The Ratawi gas processing complex
    • A 1GW solar power project for Iraq’s electricity ministry
    • A field development project at Ratawi, known as the Associated Gas Upstream Project (AGUP)

    The CSSP is designed to support oil production in Iraq’s southern oil and gas fields – mainly Zubair, Rumaila, Majnoon, West Qurna and Ratawi – by delivering treated seawater for injection, a method used to boost crude recovery rates and improve long-term reservoir performance.

    China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation (CPECC) won a $1.61bn contract in May to execute EPC work for the gas processing complex at the Ratawi field development.

    CPECC’s project team based in its Dubai office is performing detailed engineering work on the project.

    In August last year, TotalEnergies awarded China Energy Engineering International Group the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the 1GW solar project at the Ratawi field. A month later, QatarEnergy signed an agreement with TotalEnergies to acquire a 50% interest in the project.

    The 1GW Ratawi solar scheme will be developed in phases, with each phase coming online between 2025 and 2027. It will have the capacity to provide electricity to about 350,000 homes in Iraq’s Basra region.

    The project, consisting of 2 million bifacial solar panels mounted on single-axis trackers, will include the design, procurement, construction and commissioning of the photovoltaic power station site and 132kV booster station.

    Separately, in June, TotalEnergies awarded China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering an EPC contract worth $294m to build a pipeline as part of a package known as the Ratawi Gas Midstream Pipeline.

    Also, TotalEnergies awarded UK-based consultant Wood Group a pair of engineering framework agreements in April, worth a combined $11m, under the GGIP scheme.

    The agreements have a three-year term under which Wood will support TotalEnergies in advancing the AGUP.

    One of the aims of the AGUP is to debottleneck and upgrade existing facilities to increase production capacity to 120,000 b/d of oil on completion of the first phase, according to a statement by Wood.


    READ THE MAY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Global energy sector forced to recalibrate; Conflict hits debt issuance and listings activity; UAE’s non-oil sector faces unclear recovery period amid disruption.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the May 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16852654/main.png
    Wil Crisp
  • Abu Dhabi selects Yas Island site for $1.7bn Sphere venue

    14 May 2026

    Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture & Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) and US-based Sphere Entertainment have selected Yas Island as the location for the $1.7bn Sphere Abu Dhabi project.

    The venue will be built on a plot between Yas Mall and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, close to Yas Island’s theme parks and attractions. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2029. Dubai-listed Alec is understood to be the selected contractor and has been working on the project’s pre-construction phase.

    The project will be the first Sphere venue outside the US. It is expected to echo the scale of Sphere Las Vegas, with a capacity of up to 20,000 depending on configuration.

    DCT Abu Dhabi said it will coordinate enabling and infrastructure works with Abu Dhabi entities, including the Department of Municipalities & Transport and its Integrated Transport Centre, the Department of Energy, Taqa, Etihad Rail and Aldar. The scope includes road enhancements, site access and site-wide infrastructure integrated with surrounding Yas Island assets.

    Sphere Abu Dhabi is the latest addition to Abu Dhabi’s integrated tourism and destination-development pipeline on Yas Island, alongside major attractions and the Disney theme park resort that was announced in 2025.

    DCT and Sphere Entertainment finalised an agreement last year related to the construction, development and operation of the Sphere entertainment venue in Abu Dhabi. According to the agreement, Sphere Entertainment granted DCT the exclusive rights to build and operate the Sphere Abu Dhabi entertainment venue.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16837302/main.gif
    Colin Foreman