The 15-year Sales and Purchase Agreement with Shell covers up to 1 million tons per annum of LNG from the new Ruwais facility, securing over 80% of its total capacity just 16 months post-FID.
In a significant move at the ADIPEC conference, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced a definitive 15-year Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Shell International Trading Middle East Limited FZE, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shell plc. The agreement, signed on November 4, 2025, secures the delivery of up to 1 million tons per annum (mtpa) of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) primarily from ADNOC’s flagship Ruwais LNG project.
This SPA, which converts a previous Heads of Agreement, marks ADNOC’s first long-term LNG sales agreement with Shell and represents the eighth long-term offtake deal secured for the massive Ruwais LNG initiative. Shell is already an equity partner in the project, holding a 10% stake through its subsidiary, Shell Overseas Holdings Limited.
The rapid commercialization of the Ruwais LNG project has drawn international attention. With the latest agreement with Shell, more than 8 mtpa of the project’s planned 9.6 mtpa capacity is now secured through long-term contracts with customers across Asia and Europe. This achievement comes just 16 months after the Final Investment Decision (FID) in July 2024.
Fatema Al Nuaimi, CEO of ADNOC Gas, commented on the development: “This agreement with Shell marks a significant milestone that reinforces ADNOC’s position as a reliable global supplier of lower-carbon LNG. Securing over 80% of Ruwais LNG’s capacity in just over a year from FID is a remarkable achievement that sets a new benchmark for large-scale LNG projects globally. In parallel, construction, contractor mobilization, and site works are all on track for commissioning by the end of 2028.”
Tom Summers, Executive Vice President of Shell LNG Marketing and Trading, underscored the enduring partnership between the two energy giants. “Shell’s trusted partnership with ADNOC dates back more than 50 years and today we share a vision of strengthening global energy security through strategic collaboration,” he said. “This agreement is a significant milestone in our partnership with ADNOC and supports Shell’s strategy of expanding our LNG portfolio.”
The Ruwais LNG plant, under development in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Abu Dhabi, is set to be a key asset in the UAE’s energy future. It is notable for its commitment to sustainability, as it will be the first LNG export facility in the Middle East and Africa region to operate on clean power, positioning it as one of the lowest-carbon intensity LNG projects globally. The facility will consist of two 4.8 mtpa liquefaction trains, which will collectively more than double ADNOC Gas’ existing LNG production capacity to approximately 15 mtpa.
Commercial operations are scheduled to commence by the fourth quarter of 2028.
