Industry

First gas was achieved within less than a year from discovery. (Image source: SNOC)

In a development that is set to strengthen Sharjah’s energy security and help the UAE achieve its goal of gas self-sufficiency by 2030, Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) has successfully completed Phase 1 development of the Hedebah gas-condensate field

Discovered in May 2024, the Hedebah Field represents Shrajah’s fifth onshore gas and condensate field and is located northeast of the Sajaa gas field. Thanks to an accelerated appraisal and development programme, first gas from the field was achieved within less than a year of discovery. SNOC has now completed all key Phase 1 objectives, including appraisal drilling, well evaluation, gathering infrastructure, pipeline installation and commissioning activities.

Appraisal results have confirmed strong reservoir quality, favourable pressure characteristics and encouraging production performance across the field, increasing confidence in Hedebah’s long-term commercial potential and its future contribution to Sharjah’s energy needs. The field has already more than doubled the company’s current gas production, ensuring a steady supply of gas and condensate.

SNOC has already commenced preparations for the next stage of development, with activities being accelerated to ramp up production during 2027. The field is expected to reach plateau production by 2028 and make a substantial contribution to meeting future energy demand across the Emirate.

The project was delivered despite significant logistical and procurement challenges, including regional shipping disruptions and material supply constraints, demonstrating SNOC’s ability to execute complex developments on an accelerated timeline.

Khamis Al Mazrouei, CEO of SNOC, said, “Hedebah is one of the most significant gas developments in Sharjah in recent years and a cornerstone of SNOC’s long-term growth strategy. Completing Phase 1 and bringing the field into production demonstrates our ability to move quickly from discovery to delivery while supporting the Emirate’s growing energy requirements. As we move into the next phase of development, Hedebah will play an increasingly important role in strengthening energy security and creating long-term value for Sharjah.”

SNOC remains committed to advancing Sharjah’s energy independence through the exploration and development of its hydrocarbon resources, complemented by its strategic gas storage and processing infrastructure.

Contributing to UAE gas growth

The SNOC development is good news for the UAE's strategic gas growth plans. The UAE possesses 297 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of conventional natural gas reserves, ranking as the seventh-largest gas reserve holder globally. Major projects are underway to exploit these to secure domestic self-sufficiency, help meet rising global gas demand, provide critical feedstock for the nation’s growing industrial and petrochemical sectors and establish the UAE as a global gas and LNG player. 

They include:

Umm Shaif Gas Cap Megaproject: ADNOC’s US$6.2bn project in partnership with TotalEnergies, Eni and CNPC will unlock more than 600 million standard cubic feet per day (scfd) of natural gas and associated gas liquids by 2030, equivalent to almost 10% of the UAE’s current daily gas consumption

ADNOC Gas Rich Gas Development (RGD) project: With a total investment value of US$13.2bn across three phases, the RGD project is expanding the company’s gas processing capacity. Phase 1 expands key processing units to increase throughput and improve operational efficiency across multiple gas assets; Phase 2 will add a new natural gas processing train at the Habshan facility, while Phase 3 will add a new natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionation train at Ruwais.

Ruwais LNG project: This is scheduled to start operations in 2028, adding 9.6 mtpa of LNG production capacity, more than doubling ADNOC’s LNG production output to around 15 mtpa. Supported by ADNOC and XRG’s integrated global LNG ma

Around half of oil and gas producers identify Asia Pacific and the Middle East among their most important customer regions over the next five years. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Middle East is identified as the region offering the greatest opportunity over the next decade despite the current instability, according to the inaugural ADIPEC Global Energy Report 2026: Power Shift report, based on surveys of more than 1,800 senior business and energy leaders

Energy’s centre of gravity shifts east

72% of respondents expect the Middle East to become more important in global energy, with around half of oil and gas producers identifying Asia Pacific and the Middle East among their most important customer regions over the next five years, highlighting the growing commercial importance of the Gulf-Asia corridor.

Confidence in the global energy industry's future remains strong despite ongoing uncertainty, with 85% of energy insiders saying the sector is more attractive to invest in than five years ago. Nearly two-thirds of senior industry leaders, 64%, say the global energy system proved more resilient than expected through recent disruption, pointing to the energy sector’s ability to adjust quickly to shocks while 77% remain optimistic about the decade ahead.

AI reshapes demand and influence

Artificial intelligence is expected not only to create a new source of pressure and opportunity, but also to reshape who holds influence in the energy system. More than four in five energy insiders expect AI-driven electricity demand to exceed current forecasts, including 32% who expect it to be much higher.

At the same time, 71% see AI as more of an opportunity than a risk, while 43% expect technology and AI companies to gain the most influence over global energy during the coming decade, ahead of governments and regulators, financial institutions and traditional energy companies.

From resilience to execution

The combination of growing demand, strong investment appetite and technological change shifts the challenge for the industry from resilience towards execution.

The research clearly shows broad agreement that future demand will require a diversified response: 93% say meeting future energy demand will require growth across multiple energy sources rather than reliance on one dominant source, the strongest consensus identified in the research.

Infrastructure is emerging as a critical constraint. Delays in building and connecting grids are identified as one of the biggest barriers to meeting future demand after geopolitics, and the research identifies greater grid investment as a priority. At the same time, 74% expect the Middle East to play a more significant role in building energy infrastructure over the coming decade.

The findings will help frame discussions at ADIPEC 2026, where leaders will examine how to mobilise capital, accelerate infrastructure development and strengthen the partnerships needed to meet rising global demand.

Christopher Hudson, president of dmg events, the organisers of ADIPEC, said, “What stands out from this research is that confidence has held up despite a period of disruption. Energy demand continues to grow, the Middle East and Asia are increasingly central to that growth, and AI is reshaping what the industry needs to deliver.

“But confidence alone alone won't meet that demand. We need investment to move into projects, infrastructure to be built and new partnerships to take shape. The report gives us a clear picture of the priorities. ADIPEC is where the industry comes together to make decisions and move them forward.”

Reaching offshore platforms safely can be a challenges. (Image source: Noatum Maritime)

Inspection and maintenance programmes are often defined by the condition of an asset. Yet before any assessment or intervention can begin, operators must solve an equally important challenge: how to reach the required area safely and with minimal disruption

This is particularly relevant across offshore platforms, port infrastructure and industrial facilities where access requirements can vary considerably. A component may be submerged, positioned at height, located within a confined space or difficult to approach using conventional equipment.

Established in the UAE in 2009, Divetech, part of Noatum Maritime’s offshore division within AD Ports Group’s Maritime & Shipping Cluster, combines commercial diving expertise with rope access and industrial inspection capabilities. Through its developing use of robotics-enabled technologies, it is also broadening the options available for inspecting challenging, difficult-to-access areas.

Identifying the most effective combination

Rather than relying on a single access technique, Divetech considers the asset, its operating environment and the requirements of the work to identify the most appropriate combination of personnel, specialised techniques and equipment. Depending on the scope, this may include rope access, scaffolding, web netting systems or technology-enabled solutions.

Effective preparation is essential to help minimise disruption to ongoing operations. This emphasis on preparation is also reflected in Divetech’s daily rope access training at its facility in Abu Dhabi. Its technicians hold qualifications from the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA), with practical exercises reinforcing technical standards and readiness for demanding local conditions.

Technology is adding another dimension. Through its collaboration with SRJ Technologies Group, Divetech is developing the use of drones and remotely operated systems for inspection. These tools can gather visual information from locations where direct personnel access may be difficult, helping teams assess conditions and plan subsequent work with greater insight.

Remote inspection complements rather than replaces specialist expertise. By combining technology with the experience of diving, rope access and inspection teams, Divetech can help asset owners gather information, assess potential concerns and determine the most appropriate next steps.

By bringing together multiple access disciplines and technology-enabled inspection, Divetech offers asset owners greater flexibility in matching the method to the environment. The result is an approach that can support safer, more informed and more efficient inspection and maintenance across critical infrastructure.

Interested in finding out more? Visit the Noatum Maritime Stand #15150 in the Maritime & Logistics Zone at ADIPEC, taking place from 2-5 November at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). 

Digital Edge Subsea designs and manufactures video recording and inspection systems for the subsea industry. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Digital Edge Subsea is evolving its product range and expanding its market reach, while maintaining support for existing customers

In 2010, ROV Supervisor John Benson established Digital Edge Subsea, designing and manufacturing video recording and inspection systems for the subsea industry. Over the course of sixteen years, the business has grown to be one of the industry’s most recognisable and trusted brands.

In February 2026, John decided to take a well-earned break and hand over the position of managing director to Andy Freeman. Andy has been with Digital Edge Subsea for nearly three years, initially as business development manager, having worked with a number of subsea IRM service contractors, in both onshore and offshore roles.

Continued customer support, increased expansion

Andy’s focus for the business is the continued support for our existing customers as well as building on the expansion in to new market sectors and regions. On taking on the role of MD Andy said, “Digital Edge Subsea has been such as successful business under John Benson’s direction that it’s important to retain the core qualities that have led to that success. Quality, reliability and dependability in some of the harshest offshore environments is what makes our products stand out from the competition.  Retaining those qualities will be key to our ongoing software and hardware development as well as our reach in to new markets, with new customers”.

This expansion includes increasing support for the Middle East region, where we have a close partnership with Ashtead Technology; the leading supplier of underwater equipment for the subsea installation, IRM and decommissioning markets.

New online training course

To support the growth across the regions and in recognition of how much the products have evolved over the years, Digital Edge Subsea’s much anticipated online training course is now available. This provides new customers, personnel new to subsea inspection and existing customers who want to get the most out of their DVR with the means to learn at their own pace.

The course is arranged in to four primary modules and takes users through the steps of data management, project set-up, online operations and using the offline software.

Each module has a number of short sections to work through, supported with video files and examples. At the end of each module there is a short quiz. Successful completion of the course will generate a unique certificate for the user.

The course will be open to individual bookings and block bookings for companies wanting to offer training to personnel. 

For details and pricing contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.