Adnoc launched XRG, a $80 billion low-carbon energy and chemicals investment company in 2024. Victor Besa / The National
Adnoc launched XRG, a $80 billion low-carbon energy and chemicals investment company in 2024. Victor Besa / The National
Adnoc launched XRG, a $80 billion low-carbon energy and chemicals investment company in 2024. Victor Besa / The National
Adnoc launched XRG, a $80 billion low-carbon energy and chemicals investment company in 2024. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi’s XRG to expand in Turkmenistan with offshore gas field deal


Fareed Rahman
  • English
  • Arabic

Adnoc’s global energy investment arm XRG is teaming up with Malaysia’s Petronas to expand its footprint in Central Asia with a stake in Turkmenistan's offshore gas and condensate field.

Petronas will hold a 57 per cent stake in Turkmenistan's Block I field, while XRG and the Turkmen state enterprise Hazarnebit will control 38 per cent and 5 per cent holdings in the asset respectively, XRG said in a statement on Wednesday.

Abu Dhabi-headquartered XRG and Petronas have also signed a long-term gas sales agreement with state company Turkmengas as part of the deal, XRG said, without disclosing financial details of the deal.

"This agreement marks an important milestone in XRG’s global growth strategy and builds on the strengthening relationship between the UAE and Turkmenistan,” Mohamed Al Aryani, president of international gas at XRG, said.

“It strengthens XRG’s presence in the Caspian region, expands our resource base, and reflects our ambition to be a reliable supplier of cleaner energy to meet the world’s evolving needs."

Block I, in the Caspian Sea, produces about 400 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, with opportunities to expand production capacity. The field has access to more than 7 trillion cubic feet of estimated natural gas resources.

The announcement is the latest in a string of deals signed by XRG, launched by Adnoc in 2024 to expand its operations globally.

Last year, the company bought a 10 per cent stake in the Area 4 concession in Mozambique's Rovuma Basin liquefied natural gas projects.

In December, XRG announced the acquisition of German chemicals company Covestro for an enterprise value of €14.7 billion ($15.3 billion) after its shareholders accepted a takeover offer.

XRG was launched with an enterprise value of more than $80 billion. It plans to double its asset value over the next decade, capitalising on energy transition, artificial intelligence advances and the rise of emerging economies.

XRG’s chemicals platform aims to become a top-five global player, producing and delivering chemical and speciality products to meet a projected 70 per cent increase in global demand by 2050, Adnoc said last year.

It is investing in natural gas projects to meet growing demand for the fuel and its supercooled form, liquefied natural gas.

The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars

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Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
What is a Ponzi scheme?

A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
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F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Scoreline

Real Madrid 1
Ronaldo (53')

Atletico Madrid 1
Griezmann (57')

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme

Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.

The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.

It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.

The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.

Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”

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Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
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Neymar's bio

Total club appearances 411

Total goals scored 241

Appearances for Barca 186

Goals scored for Barca 105

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

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Price: From Dh650,000

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers

1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.

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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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THE%20SPECS
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Updated: May 14, 2025, 2:46 PM`