All About ADNOC’s Mission to Redefine Carbon Capture

When it comes to pioneering the future of green solutions, traditional energy companies have a role to play.

This is somewhat thanks to their industry tenure, experience and dominance.

Building up from this — as well as doing what makes business sense while being sympathetic to the needs of the planet — oil and gas giants are increasingly playing a role in green energy technologies.

Investing in renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, developing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and producing low-carbon fuels like hydrogen and biomethane are just some examples.

ADNOC’s oil past and green future

Officially the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC is the state-owned oil company of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

It sits among the world’s largest oil companies by production, with an oil production capacity of 4.85 million barrels per day. It is actively working to increase production levels to 5 million barrels daily by the end of the decade.

ADNOC was founded in 1971 and says it is now “in the top tier of the lowest carbon intensity oil and gas producers in the world”.

The company continues: “We are taking significant steps to make today’s energy cleaner while investing in the clean energies of tomorrow, strengthening our position as a reliable and responsible global energy provider.”

As part of its commitment to making its operations greener, ADNOC has allocated an initial US$23bn to advance and accelerate lower-carbon solutions.

This involves investing in new energies and decarbonisation technologies, which it says will enable its net zero by 2045 ambition and commitment to zero methane emissions by 2030.

ADNOC’s first-of-its-kind Fiber Optics CCs Seismic Monitoring technology

ADNOC is pioneering first-of-its-kind Fiber Optics CCs Seismic Monitoring technology as it grows and diversifies its portfolio of sustainable solutions.

Although not much has been disclosed about the project, the energy behemoth is optimistic about the impact this innovative technology will have for its clients and the wider energy and sustainability spheres.

It says that innovative CO₂ capture and storage technology will help bring entities together in the journey toward net zero.

This will link CO₂ capture facilities with storage, enabling world-leading CO₂ storage and monitoring.

ADNOC says: “Our innovative technology is set to redefine carbon capture and storage (CCS), a vital solution for meeting global climate goals. 

“By utilising advanced fibre optic and seismic technology, this first-of-its-kind system enables precise monitoring of CO₂ injected underground.

“This innovation significantly reduces CCS costs and accelerates the certification of low-carbon products, paving the way for a more sustainable and climate-friendly future.”

ADNOC’s CEO on energy megatrends

His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber is the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology alongside his role as ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO.

He is also Founder and Chairman of Masdar and was President of COP28 when the Conference of the Parties was hosted in Dubai, UAE in 2023.

He plays a pivotal role in the comprehensive development of the UAE’s commitment to addressing global environmental challenges and achieving sustainable development across key industrial sectors. 

In a keynote at the opening ceremony of the 40th edition of ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi, he explained how ADNOC is embracing the megatrends and pivoting to new opportunities across the energy value chain — with future-proofing the business, decarbonisation and long-term sustainable value the main benefits.

“We stand at the dawn of a new era of hope and possibility, defined by three megatrends,” he says.

“The first, the rise of the global south and emerging markets. Second, the transformation of energy systems and third, the exponential growth of artificial intelligence. 

“These three megatrends present mega opportunities that demand mega solutions.

“Wind and solar will expand seven times. LNG will grow by 65%. Oil will continue to be used for fuel and as a building block for many essential products. And as the world becomes increasingly urban, demand for electricity will double. 

“Adding to this demand is artificial intelligence. 

“AI is one of those era-defining breakthroughs that is changing the pace of change itself. It is redefining the boundaries of productivity and efficiency. And it has the potential to accelerate the transformation of energy systems and to supercharge low carbon growth.

“But the exponential growth of AI is also creating a power surge that no-one anticipated 18 months ago.

“The train is leaving the station,” he concludes. “What we decide right now will decide our destiny. 

“This is a moment that will separate leaders from those who are left behind. And, when called on to lead, this industry always steps up.”

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