Adnoc, Saudi Aramco, TWI open non-metallic innovation centre

RIYADH/ Cambridge: The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), Saudi Aramco Technologies Company (AramcoTech) and TWI Ltd (TWI) officially opened the Non-metallic Innovation Center (NIC) on Sept.9, 2019. The NIC is a research centre focused on innovation and advancing the use of non-metallic industrial applications, and is located in Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

The centre will develop state-of-the-art technologies for new non-metallic solutions and demonstrates how Adnoc, through innovative partnerships, is leveraging the power of technology to enhance efficiencies and unlock greater value as it delivers its 2030 smart growth strategy. The NIC partnership will also help create potential new upstream and downstream market opportunities and open doors to new markets for Adnoc as it looks to maximise the potential of its resources across its entire value chain.

Dr Alan Nelson, Adnoc Chief Technology Officer, said: “Non-metallic solutions are continuing to reshape industries around the world. From cost-efficient and durable pipelines to lightweight car designs, this technology has abundant science and engineering uses. In line with our Oil & Gas 4.0 mission, Adnocis dedicated to leading and advancing this technology.

“Accelerating growth in new non-metallic applications also creates new markets for crude and refined products for Adnoc. We are excited to partner with TWI and AramcoTech to help drive cutting-edge non-metallic solutions for the oil and gas industry and beyond.”

Non-metallics combine the benefits of several materials as they are corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and durable. They are increasingly deployed across multiple industries, including oil and gas, and construction.

Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, Saudi Aramco Chief Technology Officer, said: “We are delighted to be part of this important initiative. The industry is waking up to the benefits of non-metallic materials for numerous applications. The NIC will promote the utilisation of advanced polymeric materials by conducting research that addresses challenges in their development and implementation. This initiative is part of Saudi Aramco’s efforts to leverage its extensive hydrocarbon resources and technology development capabilities to deliver solutions that meet future energy needs in a sustainable way.”

Dr Mihalis Kazilas, NIC Programme Director, said: “By bringing together TWI, AramcoTech, and Adnoc to set up NIC, we can be assured of producing industry-led research, for the complete supply chain from R&D to production. NIC combines academia and industry so that there is a continuous chain between universities producing high-level research and industries that require academic-level analysis for real-world applications.”

Adnoc’s partnership to establish the NIC further builds on its strong portfolio of research centers. In addition to the NIC, Adnoc currently has three centers in Abu Dhabi and one in Shanghai, which focus on upstream and downstream related research.

NIC is a part of the Private Technology Innovation Partnerships (PTIPs) initiative at TWI, working to address technology priorities, fostering open innovation and commercialisation of technology with sponsors and supply chain. The centre conducts a research programme that covers Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1-9, with partners being drawn from leading academic institutions, research centers, and composite material manufacturers.

Adnoc is one of the world’s leading diversified energy and petrochemicals groups with a daily output of about 3 million barrels of oil and 10.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas. With 14 specialist subsidiary and joint venture companies, Adnoc is a primary catalyst for the UAE’s growth and diversification.

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) announced that it has formally closed its $600 million pipeline infrastructure investment agreement with GIC, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund. This marks the successful closing of the total investment transaction, following the formal closing of the initial investment agreement with BlackRock and KKR on 27th June, and the subsequent closing of the Abu Dhabi Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund, ADRPBF, investment on 1st August.

The closing takes the combined investment in select Adnoc oil pipeline infrastructure by BlackRock, KKR, ADRPBF and GIC to $4.9 billion.

The innovative leasing investment structure marks the first time that leading, global and domestic institutional investors have deployed long-term capital into key Adnoc infrastructure assets. BlackRock and KKR together hold 40 per cent, ADRPBF three per cent, GIC six per cent, and Adnoc the remaining 51 per cent in the newly formed entity, Adnoc Oil Pipelines. Sovereignty over the pipelines and management of pipeline operations remain with Adnoc.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Group Director Finance and Investment at Adnoc, said, “The successful final closing of this landmark transaction is a clear vote of confidence by the global investment community in both the UAE and Adnoc as attractive investment destinations. The caliber of these leading global and domestic investors underlines the quality and attractiveness of Adnoc’s infrastructure assets and our ability to efficiently structure and close value-creating investment opportunities for our partners and investors.”

WAM