The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), based in the UAE, has entered into a 15-year sale and purchase agreement (SPA) with ENN LNG (Singapore), a subsidiary of China’s ENN Natural Gas. The agreement, signed in 2024, involves the supply of approximately 1 million tons per annum of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from ADNOC’s Ruwais LNG project in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi. This deal marks the largest LNG agreement by volume between the UAE and a Chinese company.

The Ruwais LNG project, set to start operations in 2028, features two liquefaction trains with a combined capacity of 9.6 million tons per annum. The project, notable for its low-carbon design, will utilize clean power and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions. In June 2024, ADNOC finalized the investment decision for the project, following early engineering and construction activities initiated in March. Strategic partnerships were also formed, with BP, Mitsui & Co., Shell, and TotalEnergies each acquiring a 10% equity stake in July 2024.

ENN Natural Gas highlights the agreement as a key step in strengthening its energy supply chain: “This SPA enhances our ability to manage procurement costs and navigate global energy market fluctuations,” the company stated. The deal supports stable gas supply for residential, commercial, and industrial users in China while contributing to ENN’s efforts to diversify its global energy portfolio.

The Ruwais LNG project has also attracted other international partners, including Japan’s Osaka Gas and Mitsui & Co., Malaysia’s Petronas, and Germany’s SEFE Marketing & Trading Singapore and EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg. Upon its completion in 2028, ADNOC Gas is expected to acquire ADNOC’s stake in the project, further integrating it into the company’s operations.

This agreement reflects a commitment to sustainable energy solutions and strengthens cooperation between the UAE and China in the global energy market.