ADNOC has announced several significant agreements with major United States energy companies during the recent United Arab Emirates (UAE)-U.S. business dialogue, which included U.S. President Donald J. Trump. These agreements hold the potential to facilitate $60 billion in U.S. investments in UAE energy projects over their duration.

Among these agreements is a landmark field development plan with ExxonMobil and INPEX/JODCO, which aims to expand the production capacity of Abu Dhabi’s Upper Zakum offshore field through a phased approach. Additionally, ADNOC has signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Occidental to explore increasing the production capacity of the Shah Gas field, raising it from 1.45 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd) to 1.85 bscfd while also accelerating the use of advanced technologies in the field.

These agreements underscore the mutual commitment of the UAE and the U.S. to uphold global energy security and maintain stability in energy markets. The enterprise value of UAE energy investments in the U.S. is projected to reach $440 billion by 2035, as part of the UAE’s comprehensive $1.4 trillion investment plan.

The U.S. is a priority market for XRG, ADNOC’s global energy investment company. XRG plans to enhance investments across the American energy value chain, focusing on gas, LNG, specialty chemicals, and energy infrastructure. As part of its ambitious investment strategy, XRG has signed a framework agreement with Occidental subsidiary 1PointFive to evaluate a potential investment in a direct air capture (DAC) project in Kleberg County, Texas, which aims to remove up to 500 000 tons of CO₂ annually using commercial-scale DAC technology.

Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs (SCFEA) has also awarded a new unconventional oil exploration concession to EOG Resources Inc., a prominent U.S.-based hydrocarbon exploration and production company. This award for Unconventional Onshore Block 3, covering a 3,609 square kilometer area in the Al Dhafra region, is the first of its kind given to a U.S. company. ADNOC will oversee exploration activities within this concession and may participate in a future production concession.

The phased development plan for Upper Zakum will leverage AI and industry-leading technologies, combined with the strong partnership between ADNOC, ExxonMobil, and INPEX/JODCO, to sustainably increase production capacity and meet rising global demand while ensuring low-carbon intensity. The Upper Zakum field is located 84 kilometers northwest of Abu Dhabi and is known as the second largest offshore field in the world.

Furthermore, the potential expansion of the Shah Gas field, one of the largest globally, is situated 180 kilometers southwest of Abu Dhabi. This expansion will provide additional gas for domestic industrial growth and liquefied natural gas (LNG) for export.