ADNOC Drilling delivers AI-enabled automated walking rig

ADNOC Drilling has delivered AD-300, the first AI-enabled, fully automated walking island rig, to be followed by a further five next-generation island rigs under a US$1.54bn drilling services contract awarded by ADNOC Offshore in 2024-2025 

Delivered nearly three months ahead of schedule, the rig deployment marks the advancement of ADNOC’s autonomous operations, accelerating the rollout of the six-rig programme. The rig is deployed offshore on one of ADNOC’s artificial islands.

Standing 50 metres tall, and weighing around 2,000 tons, AD-300 combines advanced automation, digital systems and hybrid power capability, with the option to connect to the grid, enabling more efficient and lower-emission operations. Its automated walking capability allows it to move seamlessly between well locations without dismantling, while automation systems, such as automated pipe handling and AI-enabled monitoring, help minimise personnel exposure in complex operating environments, thereby improving safety. Integrated data systems provide real-time operational insights for performance optimisation and predictive maintenance. It enables faster and more consistent offshore well delivery as ADNOC seeks to up production capacity to 5mn bpd by 2027.

Abdulla Ateya Al Messabi, ADNOC Drilling CEO, said, “The delivery of AD-300 marks a step-change in how we execute large-scale, technology-enabled energy development. By integrating automation, artificial intelligence and robotics at scale, we are enhancing safety, improving efficiency and delivering more consistent, predictable performance. As the first of six rigs under this program, AD-300 demonstrates our ability to deliver complex, high-value assets ahead of schedule, accelerating revenue generation while supporting ADNOC’s production capacity expansion and reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in advanced energy solutions.”

Tayba Abdulrahim Al Hashmi, ADNOC Offshore CEO, added, “At a time when the world needs reliable energy at scale, the UAE stands ready to supply global customers. AD-300 and our next-generation island rigs are accelerating our growth, expanding ADNOC's production capacity and delivering long-term value for our stakeholders and the nation.”

The remaining rigs are scheduled for delivery in 2027, creating one of the world’s most advanced rig fleets and boosting ADNOC’s upstream growth ambitions.

The IEA in its latest monthly oil market report notes that the UAE’s crude oil production rose by 230,000 bpd in May to 2.8mn bpd, around 835,000 bpd short of pre-war conflict levels of over 3.6mn bpd. Dr Sultan Ahmed Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Group CEO of ADNOC has previously commented that the UAE can restore production to pre-war levels within two weeks. Significant investments in storage and alternative pipelines and shipping routes have enabled it to maintain exports at relatively high levels despite the regional disruption.

The IEA comments that the UAE has emerged over the past decade as one f the most expansion-oriented producers in the Middle East, noting the steady increase in oil production capacity since 2016 to nearly 4.4mn bpd by 2026 and forecasting that total production could increase by 730,000 bpd to 5.2mn bpd by 2030. Further increases could be on the cards following the UAE’s exit from OPEC, which has freed it from OPEC production quotas.