TotalEnergies Expands UAE Presence with 10% Stake in Bab Gas Cap Concession
TotalEnergies has strengthened its long-standing partnership with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and expanded its footprint in the United Arab Emirates by securing a 10% interest in the Bab Gas Cap Concession. The agreement marks another milestone in the French energy company’s nearly nine-decade presence in the UAE and reinforces its commitment to supporting the country’s energy growth ambitions.
The concession brings together a consortium of leading international and regional energy companies. ADNOC holds the majority stake of 60% and will continue to operate the project through ADNOC Onshore. Other partners include bp with a 10% share, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) with 8%, JODCO/INPEX with 5%, ZhenHua with 4%, and GS Energy with 3%.
The Bab Gas Cap Concession is centered on the development of substantial gas resources located above the Bab onshore oil field, one of Abu Dhabi’s most significant hydrocarbon assets. Once fully developed, the project is expected to achieve a production capacity of approximately 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day, contributing significantly to the UAE’s natural gas production and energy security objectives.
Strategic Development of a Major Gas Resource
The new concession builds upon the foundations established through the renewal of Abu Dhabi’s onshore oil concession in 2015. That agreement extended operations for 40 years and provided a framework for continued collaboration between ADNOC and its international partners in developing the emirate’s hydrocarbon resources.
Since the renewal, TotalEnergies and its partners have worked closely with ADNOC to advance plans for the Bab Gas Cap project. The gas cap represents a large untapped resource that offers significant growth potential for both natural gas and associated condensate production.
As global energy markets continue to seek reliable and affordable sources of natural gas, the Bab Gas Cap development is positioned to become an important contributor to regional and international energy supplies. The project is expected to enhance Abu Dhabi’s ability to meet domestic demand while supporting export opportunities through its growing liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure.
For TotalEnergies, the investment aligns closely with its upstream strategy of focusing on low-cost, low-emissions hydrocarbon projects capable of generating long-term value. The company views the Bab Gas Cap as a strategic addition to its portfolio due to its production growth potential, competitive cost structure, and integration with existing infrastructure in Abu Dhabi.
Supporting Abu Dhabi’s Energy Vision
The development of the Bab Gas Cap resources is closely aligned with Abu Dhabi’s broader energy strategy. The emirate has been pursuing initiatives aimed at increasing both oil and gas production while simultaneously strengthening its position as a major LNG exporter.
A key element of this strategy involves maximizing value from existing hydrocarbon resources. The Bab Gas Cap project will not only increase natural gas output but also contribute to the production of condensates, valuable liquid hydrocarbons that can be refined into transportation fuels and petrochemical feedstocks.
The project is also expected to support the expansion of Abu Dhabi’s LNG value chain. Increased gas production from Bab could provide additional feedstock for LNG facilities, including the Ruwais LNG project, one of the UAE’s most significant energy infrastructure developments currently underway.
TotalEnergies already participates in the Ruwais LNG project through a 10% ownership stake acquired in July 2024. The project includes a new LNG liquefaction facility featuring two electric-powered trains with a combined production capacity of 9.6 million metric tons per year. By linking upstream gas production with downstream LNG infrastructure, the company is positioning itself to benefit from growing global demand for LNG as countries seek cleaner alternatives to coal and other higher-emission fuels.
Commitment to a Long-Term Partnership
Commenting on the agreement, TotalEnergies Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Pouyanné emphasized the importance of the company’s relationship with Abu Dhabi and ADNOC.
He expressed appreciation to Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs for its continued confidence in TotalEnergies and highlighted that the new concession demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting the development of the UAE’s energy resources.
Pouyanné noted that the Bab Gas Cap project fits well within TotalEnergies’ strategy of investing in low-cost and lower-emission hydrocarbon resources while maintaining opportunities for future production growth. He also underscored the company’s intention to continue working alongside ADNOC as a trusted and long-term partner.
The announcement comes at a time when international energy companies are increasingly focusing on projects that combine strong economic returns with lower operational emissions. Natural gas is widely viewed as playing a critical role in the energy transition, particularly in regions seeking to reduce reliance on coal while maintaining reliable energy supplies.
Nearly Nine Decades in the UAE
TotalEnergies has maintained a presence in the United Arab Emirates for 87 years, making it one of the country’s longest-standing international energy partners. Today, the company is the largest foreign energy company operating in the UAE and maintains activities across the entire energy value chain.
Its upstream portfolio includes interests in nearly all major ADNOC-operated concessions, reflecting decades of collaboration and investment. Through these assets, TotalEnergies contributes significantly to hydrocarbon production in the country. In 2025, the company’s UAE operations produced approximately 393,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, making the country one of its most important global production hubs.
Beyond oil production, TotalEnergies has steadily expanded its role in natural gas and LNG activities. The company owns a 5% stake in ADNOC LNG, which processes associated gas from offshore fields and produces LNG, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and condensates for domestic and export markets.
The acquisition of a stake in the Ruwais LNG project further strengthened its position in the LNG sector and demonstrated confidence in the long-term growth prospects of global gas markets.
Broadening Presence Across Energy Sectors
In addition to traditional hydrocarbon operations, TotalEnergies has been expanding its involvement in renewable energy and low-carbon initiatives within the UAE. The company has invested in distributed solar generation projects that support the country’s efforts to diversify its energy mix and reduce carbon emissions.
These renewable energy initiatives complement TotalEnergies’ broader global strategy of transforming into a multi-energy company capable of supplying oil, gas, electricity, and renewable energy solutions.
The company also operates a lubricants blending plant in the UAE that serves customers throughout the Middle East region. This facility supports industrial, automotive, and commercial markets, further demonstrating the breadth of TotalEnergies’ activities in the country.
With the addition of the Bab Gas Cap Concession, TotalEnergies is further deepening its role in one of the world’s most important energy-producing regions. The project not only strengthens the company’s relationship with ADNOC and Abu Dhabi but also positions it to participate in the next phase of the UAE’s gas development strategy. As production ramps up in the coming years, the concession is expected to contribute to energy security, economic growth, and the expansion of Abu Dhabi’s LNG ambitions while providing TotalEnergies with a significant new source of future production.
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