UAE opens first ARAB NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

The UAE has become the first Arab country to open a nuclear power plant this month with the unveiling of its 5,600GW Barakah facility near Ruwais. The project is the latest attempt by the Emirati government to diversify its energy and their economic portfolios and transform its oil companies into broader energy firms, thus reducing the country’s over-reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning t...

Why is DESALINATION critical in the MIDDLE EAST?

While it might be one of the most resource-rich and economically wealthy parts of the planet, the Middle East is sorely lacking in one vital commodity – water. Home to some 400 million people and a climate not conducive to frequent rainfall, the region relies on unconventional sources of drinking water, such as treated wastewater and, in particular, desalination.

As the global population swe...

Why was OIL STORAGE invaluable during COVID-19?

The oil and gas industry has taken something of a pummelling over recent months. With lockdown measures in place across much of the globe to limit the spread of coronavirus, demand for energy fell sharply, as industries and businesses all but shut down and far fewer passenger vehicles took to the streets.

Now, with the world beginning to emerge from the height of the coronavirus crisis and t...

Why have companies invested $20 Billion in ADNOC’s Pipeline?

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company – or ADNOC for short – has announced a landmark $20.7 billion deal with six international companies for a minority stake in its domestic pipeline infrastructure. The deal was made with a consortium of the world’s foremost sovereign wealth funds and infrastructure specialists and is expected to yield attractive advantages for all involved parties.

On the one...

Why is the Middle East facing an Oil Storage Crisis?

The Middle East, one of the world’s greatest oil producing regions, is facing a shortage crisis of unprecedented proportions. That’s because the prolonged lockdown measures being enforced across the globe to combat the spread of coronavirus have led to a sharp drop-off in demand, meaning that there is so much surplus crude on the market that traders are struggling for places to store it.

Ind...

OPEC cuts Oil Production to support prices

e Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its partners finally came to an historic agreement to slash oil production outputs by an unprecedented amount last month. The accord followed a lengthy stand-off between OPEC and nations such as Russia, who shared differing opinions on how best to control the slump in oil prices exacerbated by the spread of coronavirus.

Although the ...

UAE signs Oil Storage deal with JAPAN

The UAE and Japan have signed an energy cooperation deal, which will allow the state oil company of the Emirates (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, or ADNOC) to store significant amounts of the substance in Japanese storage facilities. In return, Japan will have first refusal on certain amounts of oil in the event that the country experiences shortages of its own.

The deal was signed by Dr Sul...

How is the UAE backing GRAPHENE?

First discovered in 2004, graphene is the strongest substance known to man. It is more efficient at conducting electricity than copper, one million times thinner than a single human hair in diameter and offers greater flexibility than rubber. Despite these incredible properties, scientists have spent the last decade and a half scratching their heads over what purpose to put graphene to.

Whil...

How can CHEMICALS leak into Food?

We’ve been told often enough that we are what we eat – but the packaging in which our food is stored, heated and served might be equally important in determining how healthy or dangerous our diet is. As part of a new initiative geared towards raising awareness around chemicals leaching into food, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) have launched a social media campaign....

UAE to introduce new Marine FUEL Regulations

The UAE has indicated that it will exercise leniency as new marine fuel regulations come into effect on January 1st 2020, causing oil tanker companies across the globe to breathe a sigh of relief. The announcement was made by the chairman of the UAE’s Federal Transport Authority (FTA) Abdullah Al Nuaimi, who intimated that the new rules would be enforced gradually.

The news is significant gi...