Record-breaking ADIPEC sees conclusion of deals worth US$67bn

ADIPEC 2026 saw the conclusion of more than 50,000 deals worth an estimated US$67bn, a 26.4% increase on 2025, according to the organisers

Government leaders, ministers, global energy CEOs, investors and technology companies gathered in Abu Dhabi to advance the partnerships, investments and projects needed to strengthen energy security and meet rising global demand.

Strong participation

240,000 attendees from 170 countries attended the show at this critical time for the energy industry with 2,260 companies exhibiting across 16 halls, 30 country pavilions and four specialised industry zones. China, the United States, and Italy accounted for the largest number of exhibitors.

The event also welcomed its strongest-ever participation from Asia, with 353 exhibiting companies, representing a 12% increase year on year, reflecting Asia's growing influence on global energy demand, industrial development, investment and technology deployment.

The AI Zone at ADIPEC 2026 grew 20% in size compared to last year, bringing together global technology leaders including Microsoft, NVIDIA, IBM, Dell, Huawei, Honeywell, Siemens, Unitree, Presight, AIQ and Etisalat, demonstrating how AI, automation and robotics are being deployed to improve operational performance, safety and infrastructure resilience across the energy sector.

Against a backdrop of geopolitical shifts, increasing demand and supply dynamics, His Excellency Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC managing director and Group CEO, called on the energy industry to rethink how it builds, protects and delivers secure energy, arguing that resilience must be built into every stage of the energy value chain. While Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, said AI can help tackle some of the world's most complex energy challenges. By combining frontier AI, sovereign infrastructure and industry expertise, he said energy companies can accelerate decision-making, improve operational performance and unlock new opportunities across the energy value chain.

Across 13 conference programmes and more than 380 sessions, over 1,800 speakers examined the forces reshaping the global energy landscape, exploring supply resilience, infrastructure investment, international cooperation and the growing role of AI in strengthening energy systems.

From these discussions, a common message emerged: delivering the energy future will demand coordinated investment in the infrastructure, technologies and partnerships that underpin energy security, economic growth and long-term resilience.

Major announcements

As in previous years, a number of companies took the opportunity at ADIPEC to make announcements and conclude major deals. Chief among them was ADNOC's landmark partnership with OpenAI and G42, which highlighted the growing convergence of energy and artificial intelligence as energy companies seek to improve operational performance, strengthen resilience and meet rising global demand.
Among the other deals made during the week was XRG's Us$1.5bn deal with Shell, whereby XRG will acquire Shell's stake in Australia's North West Shelf LNG project.

While TA'ZIZ reached financial close on AED5.1 billion for the TA'ZIZ Terminal and TA'ZIZ Ammonia projects in Ruwais, with both transactions oversubscribed, highlighting strong investor confidence in Abu Dhabi's industrial growth strategy and supporting the expansion of chemicals, export and industrial infrastructure.

Abdulmunim Saif Al Kindy, chairman of ADIPEC 2026, said, “ADIPEC 2026 has been defined by energy resilience and intelligence, not as ends in themselves, but as enablers of global stability and growth. As global energy demand continues to rise, meeting the world’s needs will require sustained investment in supply and infrastructure, stronger international partnerships and the intelligent deployment of technology across the energy system to support economic stability and growth.

“The breadth of international participation, from energy, advanced technology and investment sectors, the record exhibition scale and billions of dollars in agreements advanced this week are particularly significant against the backdrop of this year’s extraordinary challenges. They demonstrate what ADIPEC is here to do: connect energy, technology and capital to turn ambition into action. They also reinforce

Abu Dhabi’s position as a trusted global centre for the energy industry and the UAE’s commitment to working with partners around the world to strengthen energy security and unlock long-term economic growth.”

Christopher Hudson, president of dmg events, organisers of ADIPEC, added, “The unprecedented participation at ADIPEC this week, with our greatest number of exhibitors, is a powerful demonstration of the energy sector’s resilience, confidence and determination to invest in the future. At a time of growing global demand and increasing pressure on energy systems, the industry continues to come together to develop the partnerships, technologies and solutions needed to strengthen energy security and support long-term economic growth.

“The scale of engagement, the quality of discussions and the agreements reached throughout the week show a sector focused not only on addressing today’s challenges, but on building a more resilient and connected energy system for the future.”

ADIPEC will return to Abu Dhabi from 1-4 November 2027.