Abu Dhabi Unveils Its R&D Ambitions

Abstract

ADNOC R&D For Abu Dhabi, research and development (R&D) provides an opportunity to facilitate the country’s transition from a hydrocarbon-based economy to a knowledge-based one and Abu Dhabi’s decision makers know that partnership and collaboration between companies and academia is key to R&D success. To enable that process, the government launched two major institutes for conducting research that emphasizes local energy issues—the Petroleum Institute University and Research Center in 2001, and the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) in 2006. This was followed by the inauguration of the Takreer Research Centre with a focus on the refining sector in 2009. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and its subsidiaries have launched a program to become a leader in R&D projects of local interest, such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR), clean technologies, and a goal of a 70% enhanced recovery rate, which has not been achieved anywhere in the world, in addition to improving safety and efficiency. So far, ADNOC has created a new R&D department adopting a clearer definition of its goals and activities. In addition, the company sees 2015 as the year to reap the benefits from its ongoing R&D activities, despite the fall in oil prices. “Starting from 2015, ADNOC and its subsidiaries will start producing 2% of its output (70,000– 80,000 BOPD) using the research it conducted over the last 10 years,” said Ali Rashid Al Jarwan, chief executive officer of the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company, in his opening speech during the third Abu Dhabi International Research & Development Academic Conference & Exhibition.