ABU DHABI, UAE – Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, said that under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan the Emirates is at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI to drive sustainable growth and progress, particularly in the energy sector.
This came during Sheikh Hamdan’s visit on Saturday to the Bu Hasa oilfield where he met with Emirati ADNOC staff working at the field.
Sheikh Hamdan toured key facilities and operations, learning about the company’s efforts to leverage AI and advanced technologies for enhanced efficiency, productivity and emissions reduction.
He was accompanied by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Yas bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Nasser Mohammed Al Mansouri, Under-Secretary of the Ruler’s Representative’s Court in the Al Dhafra Region, and Issa Hamad Bushahab, Advisor to the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, along with a number of officials.
“I’m delighted to learn about ADNOC’s ongoing efforts to solidify the UAE’s leadership in global energy security. Their commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 is commendable,” said Sheikh Hamdan.
“By empowering Emirati talent and deploying advanced AI and digital solutions in the energy sector, ADNOC is ensuring increased production efficiency, reduced emissions and optimal utilization of our national resources,” he said.
During his meeting with ADNOC’s national staff, Sheikh Hamdan conveyed to them the greetings of President Sheikh Mohamed.
He stressed on the President’s keenness to provide all means to ensure their active contribution to the path of growth and prosperity of the country.
Sheikh Hamdan emphasized on the importance of Emirati women’s participation across various sectors, including the energy sector, highlighting their proven ability and success in tackling diverse tasks within this field.
He praised the pivotal role played by the Emirati women cadres working in the Bu Hasa field, where they contribute through their different positions to the implementation of ADNOC’s plans to enhance efficiency, raise productivity and reduce emissions through the use of AI applications and tools and advanced technologies.
Upon his arrival at the Bu Hasa field, Sheikh Hamdan was received by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, and the company’s executive management team.
ADNOC team presented Sheikh Hamdan with details on several strategic projects underway at the Bu Hasa field.
These initiatives aim to achieve growth, enhance efficiency, and reduce emissions, notably the plans to increase production capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to over 790,000 barrels per day and to increase associated gas production from 650 million cubic feet per day to more than 800 million cubic feet per day by 2027.
This is in addition to strategic projects that include providing sustainable water supplies to the Bu Hasa and Bab fields.
Other strategic projects include utilising treated seawater instead of groundwater in the Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes, reducing energy consumption and emissions, and the project to employ water and gas injection technologies into reservoirs to enhance production.
This is in addition to a proposed joint project to develop a bromine production facility, used in drilling fluids.
Sheikh Hamdan learned about the most prominent artificial intelligence and advanced technology techniques and tools used by ADNOC in monitoring operations and production processes in the field, which is considered one of the largest onshore production fields in the country and one of the 20 largest oil fields in the world in terms of proven oil reserves.
This includes the use of digital well solutions, autonomous operations and remote monitoring technologies, and the development of the first AI-based advanced process control system in collaboration with AIQ, and the use of UAE-made drones to detect potential greenhouse gas leaks.
These drones are also used to conduct accurate site and infrastructure inspections, as well as the use of electric submersible pumps connected to AI tools to help reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency.
Al Jaber said, “We highly appreciate the visit of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Bu Hasa field, which reflects the leadership’s keenness to follow up on all projects that contribute to strengthening sustainable economic and social development.”
He said, “ADNOC, a leading integrated energy company, is undergoing a significant transformation. By leveraging the latest advancements in AI technologies, ADNOC aims to accelerate progress on the company’s ambitious strategy.”
He added, “This includes reducing emissions, ensuring operational sustainability, and staying at the forefront of the industry. To achieve this, ADNOC is investing in developing the company’s national workforce, building a diverse and highly skilled team to deliver more energy with lower emissions, to meet the ever-growing global demand.”