How Habshan, Das Island and Ruwais are shaping the future of Adnoc Gas infrastructure

Adnoc Gas Plc (ADX: ADNOCGAS), the Abu Dhabi-headquartered integrated gas processing company, has commenced a transformative phase in its operational roadmap with a $5 billion investment across four of its core facilities—Habshan, Das Island, Asab and Buhasa. On June 10, 2025, the energy major confirmed its final investment decision (FID) for phase one of the Rich Gas Development (RGD) project, marking the largest capital outlay in its corporate history.

The project is not only foundational to Adnoc Gas’ ambition to grow EBITDA by more than 40% by 2029 but also a cornerstone of the United Arab Emirates’ broader strategy to enhance gas self-sufficiency, export capability and downstream integration. With two more phases in the pipeline targeting Habshan and Ruwais, Adnoc Gas is aggressively building toward a modular, high-throughput, and cleaner gas infrastructure system aligned with both global demand and national priorities.

Which companies are leading the EPCM upgrades at the gas sites?

The $5 billion investment for phase one has been divided into three major EPCM contract tranches. Wood Group has been awarded a $2.8 billion contract for infrastructure upgrades at the Habshan processing complex, which currently handles up to 6.1 billion cubic feet per day of gas. Petrofac was awarded a $1.2 billion contract to expand liquefaction capacity at the offshore Das Island facility. Kent Plc secured a $1.1 billion contract to deliver enhancement work at the Asab and Buhasa sites.

At the Habshan site, upgrades will include new processing trains, condensate recovery systems, and pre-combustion emissions mitigation technologies. Das Island will see the installation of twin gas dehydration and compression trains—each with a capacity of 420 million standard cubic feet per day—to increase LNG output. The works at Asab and Buhasa will improve interconnectivity and stabilize sweet gas processing flows, laying the groundwork for seamless throughput across Adnoc Gas’ network.

How these upgrades support UAE gas exports and energy security

The Rich Gas Development project is intended to unlock new NGL-rich gas reservoirs, which are crucial for meeting rising LNG and petrochemical demand globally. By focusing on rich gas streams, Adnoc Gas positions itself to extract higher-margin condensates and LPG products, which feed directly into both export revenue and domestic petrochemical inputs.

The UAE’s gas pivot began in earnest in 2019 when it approved development of unconventional gas blocks and midstream connectivity projects such as the Habshan–Fujairah pipeline and sulfur granulation terminals. The RGD project builds upon this infrastructure foundation, enabling the country to enhance long-term self-sufficiency while supporting its status as a reliable LNG supplier to Asia and Europe.

What upgrades are planned for the Ruwais LNG and downstream hub?

While phase one targets existing processing facilities, Adnoc Gas has also signaled that phases two and three of the RGD project will target capacity growth and integration at Habshan and Ruwais. Ruwais is being positioned as a strategic gas-to-chemicals and LNG export center.

At the core of this vision is the under-development Ruwais LNG terminal, a project featuring two fully electric liquefaction trains totaling 9.6 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of capacity. The terminal, slated for completion in late 2028, will double UAE’s LNG export capacity to 15 mtpa and serve as a model for AI-enhanced, low-carbon gas infrastructure. International partners including Shell, BP, TotalEnergies and Mitsui have already secured equity stakes in the terminal, underscoring global investor confidence in the Ruwais expansion.

What investors are saying about Adnoc Gas’ RGD initiative

Since its public listing on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in January 2023, Adnoc Gas has focused on consistent throughput expansion and shareholder value creation. The $5 billion capital allocation for RGD phase one is viewed as a high-conviction move that affirms the company’s medium-term growth outlook.

Regional asset managers and equity research firms covering ADNOCGAS (ADX: ADNOCGAS) highlight the internal rate of return (IRR) potential from the project, particularly if LNG market conditions remain favorable. Analysts in Riyadh and Dubai expect EBITDA margin expansion from both volume growth and higher processing yields once the upgrades come online post-2027.

The EPCM segmentation also reassures institutional investors that Adnoc Gas is executing with risk containment and milestone discipline, which are key to maintaining valuation stability amid commodity price fluctuations.

How the Rich Gas Development project supports UAE’s industrial strategy

The project is deeply integrated with the UAE’s In-Country Value (ICV) agenda. Adnoc Gas has committed to ensuring that more than 60% of the $5 billion contract value will be retained within the domestic economy via local supplier contracts, fabrication yards, and advanced service providers.

Moreover, the project will generate several hundred new field-based technical roles by 2029, focusing on process engineering, HSE compliance, and automation. Partnerships with EPC leaders like Wood Group, Petrofac, and Kent Plc are expected to result in significant knowledge transfer and skill development across the Emirati workforce, aligning with national goals for industrial self-reliance.

What are the technology, emissions and digitalization efforts at Habshan and Das Island

In a forward-looking move, Adnoc Gas has also deployed pilot decarbonization technologies at Habshan, including Levidian’s LOOP system—capable of converting methane into hydrogen and graphene while capturing carbon pre-combustion. The integration of such technologies into the RGD scope suggests that the company is not only expanding capacity but also making operational strides toward its net-zero goals.

In parallel, Wood Group’s scope at Habshan includes installation of smart sensors, real-time data systems, and energy-efficient pumps—key elements in modernizing brownfield gas assets without compromising on environmental compliance. Petrofac’s Das Island enhancements also include the upgrade of digital control systems and condensate handling optimization.

What to expect next in Adnoc Gas’ multistage infrastructure strategy

With construction timelines for phase one stretching through 2027, Adnoc Gas is expected to announce final investment decisions on phases two and three by mid-2026. These will likely cover expanded treatment capacity at Habshan and additional LNG liquefaction modules at Ruwais, including possible integration with blue hydrogen and CCS systems.

The UAE’s long-term energy strategy hinges on monetizing its gas reserves in alignment with decarbonization goals. By upgrading legacy assets and adding modular, clean-capable processing units, Adnoc Gas aims to maintain operational leadership and pricing agility in a tightening global LNG market.

If these expansions are executed on schedule and within cost, Adnoc Gas could see its profile rise to that of a regional gas supermajor—capable of serving flexible supply contracts while enabling the country’s downstream and clean energy transition simultaneously.