ADNOC announced a 15-year Sales and Purchase Agreement with Shell International Trading Middle East Limited FZE for the delivery of up to 1 million tons per annum of liquefied natural gas. The deal was signed during ADIPEC on November 4, 2025, marking ADNOC's first long-term LNG sales agreement with Shell and the eighth long-term offtake agreement secured for the Ruwais LNG project.

Project Commercialization Progress

The agreement converts a previous Heads of Agreement into a definitive agreement and represents a significant step in ADNOC's efforts to rapidly commercialize the Ruwais LNG project. With this latest agreement, more than 8 million tons per annum of the project's planned 9.6 million tons per annum capacity is now secured through long-term customer deals across Asia and Europe.

This achievement comes just 16 months after the project's Final Investment Decision in July 2024. The first Sales and Purchase Agreement for the project was announced at ADIPEC in 2024. ADNOC has now contracted over 80% of Ruwais LNG's capacity in just over a year from the Final Investment Decision.

Industry Benchmark Achievement

Fatema Al Nuaimi, CEO of ADNOC Gas, highlighted the significance of the rapid pace of commercialization. She stated that securing over 80% of Ruwais LNG's capacity within just over a year of the Final Investment Decision is a remarkable achievement that sets a new benchmark for large-scale LNG projects globally. Al Nuaimi noted that while the industry can take up to four or five years to market such volumes, Ruwais is advancing at record pace.

The CEO confirmed that construction, contractor mobilization, and site works are all on track for commissioning by the end of 2028. Commercial operations are scheduled to commence by the fourth quarter of 2028.

Partnership and Strategic Significance

Tom Summers, Executive Vice President of Shell LNG Marketing and Trading, emphasized the long-standing relationship between the companies. He stated that Shell's trusted partnership with ADNOC dates back more than 50 years and that both companies share a vision of strengthening global energy security through strategic collaboration. Summers described the agreement as a significant milestone in their partnership that supports Shell's strategy of expanding its LNG portfolio.

Shell holds a 10% stake in the Ruwais LNG project through its subsidiary, Shell Overseas Holdings Limited. Shell International Trading Middle East Limited FZE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shell plc.

Project Technical Specifications

The LNG will be primarily sourced from the Ruwais LNG project, currently under development in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi. The Ruwais LNG plant will be the first LNG export facility in the Middle East and Africa region to operate on clean power, making it one of the lowest-carbon intensity LNG projects in the world.

The facility will feature two 4.8-million-ton-per-annum liquefaction trains, bringing the total capacity to 9.6 million tons per annum. This will more than double ADNOC Gas's existing LNG production capacity to approximately 15 million tons per annum, supporting ADNOC's strategy to expand its LNG portfolio to meet rising global demand.

The plant will leverage artificial intelligence and the latest technologies to enhance safety, operational efficiency, and emissions performance. Al Nuaimi reinforced ADNOC's position as a reliable global supplier of lower-carbon LNG through this agreement with Shell.

Connect with Decision-makers about the Latest LNG Liquefaction Plant Projects Around the World for business Opportunities.

Subscribe to our database on LNG Liquefaction Plant Projects and Tenders Around the World to get access to reliable and high-quality insights on upcoming, under-construction, and completed LNG Liquefaction Plant Projects across the world or in your desired geographical location.

Our user-friendly platform provides essential details, timely updates, key stakeholder contact information, and business opportunities tailored for engineering companies, industry professionals, investors, and government agencies.