What is ADNOC's timeline and partnership status for its unconventional oil and gas projects following the UAE's exit from OPEC?

ADNOC expects to make a final investment decision this year on its unconventional gas project with TotalEnergies, and approval for a separate unconventional oil project — partnered with Petronas and EOG Resources — is expected to follow soon. These projects use advanced drilling techniques similar to those in the U.S. shale industry and have been in pilot production for over a year to assess decline rates and reduce investment risks.

How does the UAE's exit from OPEC affect ADNOC's production strategy and operational flexibility?

The UAE's May 1 exit from OPEC was described by ADNOC's Upstream CEO Musabbeh al-Kaabi as a 'sovereign decision' aligned with the country's long-term strategic and economic interests; it grants ADNOC flexibility to meet growing global demand outside OPEC's quota system, enabling it to deliver 'lowest cost production but more importantly the lowest carbon-intensity barrels.'

ADNOC Set to Push Shale-Style Oil, Gas Projects After UAE's OPEC Exit

May 5, 2026

Following the UAE's exit from OPEC, ADNOC plans to finalize investment decisions on unconventional oil and gas projects with partners like TotalEnergies, aiming to reach 5 million barrels per day capacity while utilizing advanced shale drilling techniques.

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