Oliver Wyman releases new report highlighting the impact of PPPs on national infrastructures across major Gulf economies  Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 07 August 2018:  In recent years, since the oil price slump, plans have emerged across the Gulf to curb fiscal deficits and diversify economies, most notably through the development of national infrastructure, highlights a new report by Oliver Wyman.   Titled “How Public-Private Partnerships can support the Gulf’s Economic development,” the report highlights the significance of the private sector’s contribution to the emerging economies. Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) stand among the main levers being considered in the Gulf as a means to boost private sector contribution to the economy and to offload some of the financing burden from ......read more

Winner(s) will be announced at the “Unlocking Solar Capital: Africa 2018” conference in November Dubai, UAE, August 07, 2018:  Phanes Group, an international end-to-end solar provider headquartered in Dubai, UAE, has announced the 2nd edition of its Solar Incubator program, aimed at identifying PV projects of potential in sub-Saharan Africa by providing support to funding, and commercial and technical knowledge. The initiative held under the theme, “Your Project, Our Expertise, For a Sustainable Future”, will be held in collaboration with Hogan Lovells, responsAbility Renewable Energy Holding, RINA and Solarplaza, and invites PV developers to submit proposals for projects based in sub-Saharan Africa that have a clear Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) component. Candidates are asked to submit ......read more

Unit 2 Hot Functional Test (HFT) completed successfully as part of testing and commissioning in preparation for operation Nawah operators benefit from unique plant operating experience Abu Dhabi, UAE – 6 August 2018:   The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has successfully completed Hot Functional Testing (HFT) on Unit 2 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. This significant pre-operational testing process incorporated all lessons learned from the same test on Unit 1 in order to achieve the highest international standards of quality, safety and efficiency.   ENEC worked closely with the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), the Joint Venture partner and Prime Contractor for the Barakah project, and under the observation of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR), the ......read more

2 August, 2018 – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:   National Central Cooling Company PJSC (DFM: Tabreed), the leading regional district cooling utility company, today released its consolidated financial results for the first half of 2018. The company continues to meet the region’s growing demand for district cooling and deliver solid performance and growth.   Financial highlights – six months ended 30 June 2018: Net profit attributable to the parent increased by 10 per cent to AED 211.9 million (H1 2017: AED 192.7 million) Group revenue increased by 2 per cent to AED 650.7 million (H1 2017: AED 639.2 million) Core chilled water revenue increased by 2 per cent to AED 617.3 million (H1 2017: AED 602.3 million) EBITDA increased by 6 per cent to AED 326.1 million (H1 2017: AED 308 ......read more

Abu Dhabi, UAE – 25 July 2018:   Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), the nuclear operating joint venture company established by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), celebrated the graduation of 195 students who are specializing in nuclear energy as part of the ‘Energy Pioneers’ scholarship program. The graduates successfully completed nuclear science and technology focused courses from various institutions of higher education in the UAE and abroad, including Khalifa University (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, and Pennsylvania State University, Texas A&M University and North Carolina State University in the United States of America.  Nawah Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mark Reddemann, congratulated the students in his speech, and emphasized ......read more

The renewable fuel alternative is manufactured from the used cooking oil produced by restaurants at The Sustainable City Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 18 July 2018:   The Sustainable City, the Middle East’s first fully operational sustainable community, has adopted B100 biodiesel to fuel the construction of the new buildings in phase 2 including Fairgreen International School, Hotel Indigo, and the innovation centre. The renewable fuel alternative is manufactured from the used cooking oil consumed by the restaurants at the community plaza, and will allow The Sustainable City to reduce its carbon footprint by up to 150 tons of carbon dioxide per year during the construction period. Faris Saeed, CEO of Diamond Developers — the company behind The Sustainable City — commented: “As The Sustainable City ......read more

New 175,000-square metre facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone to connect to global markets Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 16 July 2018:-   DP World, UAE Region, the Middle East’s leading regional trade enabler, today signed an important Strategic Long Term Service Agreement  with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside oil and gas, aimed at supporting the UAE’s position as a major exporter of the metal. The agreement extends the strategic partnership between the two companies, facilitating the storage and transportation of aluminium manufactured by EGA. As part of the agreement, EGA is leasing a dedicated storage area that is the largest the company has ever used at Jebel Ali Port and which will further ease the export of EGA’s metal ......read more

All major concrete work successfully completed at Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant Major construction work completed on Unit 3 Turbine Generator and Reactor Vessel (RV) Internals Abu Dhabi, UAE – 10 July 2018:   The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has achieved a series of significant milestones in the construction of Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi. ENEC has successfully completed the major construction work including major concrete pouring, installation of the Turbine Generator, and the internal components of the Reactor Vessel (RV) of Unit 3, paving the way for the commencement of testing and commissioning.    With the accomplishment of these milestones, construction crews will begin transitioning from Unit 3 to Unit 4, taking ......read more

Abu Dhabi, June 25-26, 2018 Dubai, United Arab Emirates; July 3, 2018:  Business France jointly with EVOLEN, and the French Business Group hosted the third UAE France Oil and Gas Connecting Days from June 25th to 26th in Abu Dhabi and Ruwais. The two days forum included ADNOC and its subsidiaries, as well as several ADNOC partners including Mudabala Petroleum.  This event was launched under the patronage of His Excellency Ludovic Pouille, Ambassador of France to the United Arab Emirates. Following the successful sessions in 2015 and 2017, under the framework of UAE France strategic dialog,  the third UAE France Oil and Gas Connecting Days aims to highlight the strong innovative capabilities of the French industry in Energy and Oil and Gas sectors and to strengthen business relationships in the fields of Oil ......read more

ADIPEC Awards Celebrate Excellence in the Petroleum Industry Categories Highlight Outstanding Achievements Shaping the Future in an Evolving Landscape for Hydrocarbons Abu Dhabi, UAE – 3 July 2018 –   Entries for the oil and gas industry’s prestigious ADIPEC 2018 Awards are now open, with six categories focused on issues crucial to the progress and resilience of the hydrocarbons sector.   Celebrating achievements across the oil and gas industry, the ADIPEC Awards identify the leading companies, individuals, initiatives, projects and technologies that are shaping the sector’s future, in a changing energy landscape. Entries will remain open until August, and submissions can be made via the ADIPEC website.   “The ADIPEC Awards recognise outstanding people and industry ......read more

1 July 2018, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:   The United Arab Emirates hosted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Phase 3 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission from 24 to 1 July. The aim of the mission was to assist the UAE by providing a review of the nation’s overall nuclear energy infrastructure. The UAE is the first country to implement and achieve Milestone 3 of the IAEA’s ‘Milestones’ approach to nuclear energy infrastructure development. An international team of ten IAEA and international experts reviewed the UAE’s development since the last INIR mission conducted in 2011. The team focused on the conditions required to achieve Milestone 3, through assessing 19 infrastructure issues as outlined in the IAEA’s ‘Milestones’ approach, a ......read more

Dubai, UAE, June 28, 2018:  Introduction and basis for preparation    This report sets out details of the payments made to governments by RAK Petroleum plc and its subsidiary undertakings (‘RAK Petroleum’) for  the year ended 31 December 2017 as required under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (the ‘DTRs’)  and in accordance with our interpretation of the draft Industry Guidance issued for the UK’s Report on Payments to Governments Regulations  2014, as amended in December 2015 (‘the Regulations’). The DTRs require companies in the UK and operating in the extractives sector to  publically disclose payments made to governments in the countries where they undertake exploration, prospection, development and ......read more

Dubai, UAE, June 27, 2018:  Siemens has received an order for three SGT5-4000F gas turbines from United Arab Emirates (UAE). The turbines will be used in Unit H Phase 4 of the Al Aweer power plant complex which is located approximately 35 kilometers from downtown Dubai. DEWA has awarded the project EPC contract to Siemens in a consortium led by the Egypt-based company El Sewedy Electric Co SAE (SWDY.CA) through its subsidiary Elsewedy Power. With an electrical generating capacity of about 815 megawatts (MW), the turbines will increase the total output of the power plant complex to more than 2.8 gigawatts (GW). The commercial commissioning of the three gas turbine trains is scheduled for spring 2020.  Siemens' scope of supply encompasses three SGT5-4000F gas turbines, three SGen5-1200A generators and the control system ......read more

Dubai, UAE, June 24, 2018:  The Bloomberg Commodity Index has seen its year-to-date gains disappear following four weeks of heavy selling. The broad-based index, which tracks 22 major commodities evenly split between energy, metals and agriculture, has been hurt by a stronger dollar and trade war angst as well as expectations that Opec+ will increase production in order to cap crude oil’s upside.  The current robustness of the US economy compared with the rest of the world has led to the current divergence in monetary policy between the Federal Reserve and other major central banks around the world. As a result, the global economy, especially emerging market economies carrying a heavy debt load, has seen a more challenging environment as the dollar strengthens and liquidity becomes tighter.  Adding to this, the ......read more

Abu Dhabi, 20 June 2018:   Mubadala Petroleum announces that it has completed the acquisition from Italy’s Eni of a 10 percent participating interest in the offshore Shorouk Concession in Egypt, which contains the supergiant Zohr gas field. Following the completion, Eni, through its subsidiary IEOC, holds a 50 percent interest in the concession. The other partners in the concession are BP with 10 percent interest and Rosneft with 30 percent interest.  Dr. Bakheet Al Katheeri, Chief Executive Officer, Mubadala Petroleum signed a deed with Eni completing the sale to Mubadala Petroleum in the presence of the Egyptian Minister of Petroleum, HE Tarek El-Molla, in Cairo.  Dr. Al Katheeri said: “The acquisition of a 10 percent interest in the Shorouk concession with the producing Zohr gas field is a ......read more

The poll on nuclear energy conducted by independent global market research company Nielsen shows that 82 percent of UAE residents are in favor of using nuclear energy for generating electricity - the highest level of support globally Al Dhafra residents show highest acceptance levels in the UAE for the construction of the Barakah plant Abu Dhabi, UAE – 20 June 2018:   An independent national poll on nuclear energy shows the UAE public strongly supports the use of peaceful nuclear energy, with 82 percent of residents in favor of using nuclear energy for generating electricity and 91 percent stating that peaceful nuclear energy is important for the nation. Global figures from similar polls conducted in other countries demonstrate that the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Program enjoys the highest acceptance levels in ......read more

Abu Dhabi, UAE: 17 June 2018:  Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has welcomed the European Union’s (EU) decision to increase its renewable energy target from 27 per cent to 32 per cent by 2030, highlighting that the move reinforces the EU’s position at the forefront of energy transformation and reflects the new economics of renewable energy. Responding to the announcement made by the European Commission today, Mr. Amin said: “The EU’s decision to increase its renewable energy target from 27 per cent to 32 per cent by 2030 is a move that consolidates Europe’s position at the forefront of the global energy transformation, and establishes a positive decarbonisation pathway in line with its commitments under the Paris Agreement. “It is also ......read more

Dubai, UAE; June 13, 2018:   Tristar Group’s two warehouses located in the Jebel Ali Industrial Area 1 and 2 were awarded 5-star rating by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) for the second and third consecutive years, respectively.   Shivananda Baikady, General Manager-Road Transport and Warehousing, Tristar, said: “Our specialized warehousing facilities are designed to accommodate and handle dangerous and non-dangerous goods with stringent adherence to health, safety and environmental standards.  We are proud to receive consecutive 5-star rating by DMCC  for our warehouses in Industrial Area 1 and 2. It is a reflection of excellence in our day- to-day operations. The rating is also a sound testament to our best-in-class warehousing service for major oil companies.”   All types ......read more

Renewable energy continues to attract an increasing share of global investment, with annual investments expected to grow by $130 billion, compared to 2016 figures, reaching around $370 billion in 2020.  Developing countries now account for almost half of all renewables investment, although to date there has been modest investment in the GCC Investment in GCC renewable energy could reach $16 billion in 2020 with a cumulative total of $40 billion between 2016 and 2020, provided the correct decisions and policies are adopted The GCC countries have considerable potential for renewable energy deployment Strategy& outlines six part framework for GCC to catch up  Dubai, UAE, June 5, 2018:   The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states show great promise for renewable energy deployment, according to a recent ......read more

By Ole S Hansen, Head of Commodity Strategy at Saxo Bank Dubai, UAE, June 3, 2018:  Commodities traded lower this past week with losses being led by the energy sector while both the metals and agriculture sectors were mixed. Impacting commodities both directly and indirectly were the unfolding political crises in both Spain and Italy, together with Donald Trump’s decision to slap duties on imports of steel and aluminium from US allies while also preparing a range of tariffs on goods from China.  Both events helped increase stock market volatility while sending core bond yields lower and the dollar higher. At the same time, they also raised additional concerns about the trajectory of global growth, which is already showing signs of slowing.  Crude oil once again attracted most of the headlines as the market ......read more

All efforts focused on preparations for safety-led nuclear operations of the UAE’s first nuclear reactor in accordance with the highest standards of a  nuclear safety culture and quality assurance Comprehensive schedule review points to start-up of nuclear operations for Unit 1 between the end of 2019 and early 2020  Abu Dhabi, UAE – 26 May 2018:   Nawah Energy Company (Nawah), the operator of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi, has entered the next phase of preparation for nuclear operations. With construction of Unit 1 recently completed by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Joint Venture partner, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Nawah has completed a comprehensive operational readiness review to generate an updated schedule for ......read more

Dubai, UAE, May 24, 2018:  The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, the sovereign wealth fund of Russia) and Mubadala Petroleum, the UAE-based leading oil and gas exploration and production company, announce the creation of a joint venture with PJSC Gazprom Neft to develop several oil fields in the Tomsk and Omsk regions. RDIF and Mubadala Petroleum will acquire a 49 percent equity stake in LLC Gazpromneft-Vostok, the operator of the fields. Mubadala Petroleum will hold a 44 percent interest and RDIF will hold the remaining 5 percent interest. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory and internal approvals. The corresponding agreement was announced today at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Proved and probable reserves of hydrocarbons in the fields are about 40 million tons (approx. 300 ......read more

The recently launched licensing round has proven a draw with companies from all over the world thanks to the unique, overall proposition on offer Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, 23, May 2018:  With proven hydrocarbon reserves in place, diverse exploration plays, easily accessible existing infrastructure, attractive production sharing terms and commercialization plans, plus a team of international experts already working on the ground, the tendering process to explore for oil and gas resources in Ras Al Khaimah has received positive interest on a global scale. Launched on 1 April 2018 to attract regional and international companies aiming to expand their portfolios in the UAE, the 2018 RAK Licensing Round is proving to be popular, with many firms already taking advantage of the data rooms being facilitated by ......read more

70% renewables by 2050 target is achievable if regulations adequately reflect contribution of solar and wind power says IRENA  Dubai, UAE, May 23, 2018:  Upgrades to Panama’s regulatory environment and power system management are critical to achieving the renewable energy goals set out in the country’s National Energy Plan, per a Renewables Readiness Assessment Panama report released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The report was launched at high-level event in Panama City today and presented to the country’s Secretary of Energy, Dr. Victor Urrutia. A central recommendation of the report calls for amendments to the country’s regulation of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind. Currently, these renewable energy ......read more

May 16, 2018, United Arab Emirates:  Since mid-2014, the harsh cyclical downturn in oil prices has tested, and proved, the resilience of international oil majors' integrated business models. S&P Global Ratings recognizes the majors' downstream refining and petrochemical assets provided them with a cushion as cash flows from the upstream businesses, especially straight exploration and production businesses, plunged.  Those downstream businesses have since taken a backseat as higher oil prices, lower costs, and capital expenditure (capex) help upstream performance recover. Nonetheless, one of the concerns arising from the industry downturn has been whether the largest oil companies have been underinvesting, as a result of the huge capex cuts since 2014. In our view, ......read more