ADNOC Confirms $55 Billion Project Pipeline Through 2028, Prioritising Local Manufacturing
At the "Make it With ADNOC" Forum, the operator outlined plans to award AED200 billion in projects between 2026 and 2028, linking EPC contractors with manufacturers on its "Local+" list ahead of a dedicated buyer-meet-up event.
ADNOC has confirmed plans to award approximately AED200 billion, or about $55 billion, in projects between 2026 and 2028. The announcement, made at the "Make it With ADNOC" Forum in Abu Dhabi, marks a new phase of execution across the company's value chain and reinforces its broader five-year capital expenditure program.
The initiative places local manufacturing at the centre of the procurement strategy, aiming to expand the UAE's industrial base while supporting global energy demand. The awards will cover both upstream and downstream operations, aligning with the operator's strategy to combine hydrocarbon growth with industrial policy. By using large-scale energy projects to anchor local supply chains, ADNOC seeks to deepen domestic manufacturing and improve supply chain resilience within the country.
A key component of this approach is the "Local+" list, which currently includes 70 UAE-based manufacturers approved under the company's In-Country Value program. During the forum, ADNOC connected engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors with these approved manufacturers to facilitate the procurement process. This linkage is designed to ensure that a significant portion of the capital expenditure supports local industry capabilities.
To further facilitate participation in this pipeline, ADNOC is preparing to launch "ADNOC Value Connect — meet the buyer" on 5–6 May. The event is scheduled to link over 1,000 companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises, with suppliers and EPC contractors. This follow-up initiative aims to streamline the connection between potential bidders and the operator's requirements.
The scale of the planned awards suggests significant opportunities for EPC firms, equipment suppliers, and UAE manufacturers as the operator advances its long-term production and processing plans. The move underscores the UAE's broader "Make it in the Emirates" strategy, which aims to capture more value from major energy investments inside the country.
While the headline figure represents a substantial commitment, the exact breakdown of the $55 billion between upstream and downstream sectors remains unquantified in current reporting. Additionally, the specific number of projects included in the award pipeline has not yet been detailed, leaving the precise distribution of contracts to be determined as the program moves forward.
