The project entails the development of a state-of-the-art seawater treatment facility and a transportation network that will serve the Bab and Bu Hasa fields in Abu Dhabi.

ADNOC and TAQA have awarded a strategic investment project worth up to $2.4billion (AED8.8 billion) for a major desalination plant to support ADNOC’s onshore operations, a press statement has revealed.

The project entails the development of a state-of-the-art seawater treatment facility and a transportation network that will serve the Bab and Bu Hasa fields in Abu Dhabi.

Both ADNOC and TAQA will hold a joint majority stake of 51% (25.5% each) in the Project Company, while the remaining 49% has been awarded to a consortium comprising Orascom Construction and Metito (the Consortium).

The Consortium will handle project financing during the construction phase and oversee the project’s development under a build, own, operate, and transfer (BOOT) model.

The desalination project aims replace the existing high-salinity, deep aquifer water systems at the fields, resulting in a potential reduction of up to 30% in water injection-related energy consumption.

The project will be connected to the grid and rely on 100% clean energy sources for its power requirements.

Jasim Husain Thabet, TAQA’s Group CEO and Managing Director said that the desalination project aims to deliver over 110 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) of nano-filtered seawater.

This will be done through an extensive network of 75 kilometers of transportation pipelines, over 230 kilometers of distribution pipelines, and two pumping stations.

“This will ensure a sustainable water supply for ADNOC’s onshore operations,” said Thabet.

After 30 years of operation, the project will be fully returned to ADNOC.

Under ADNOC’s highly successful In-Country Value (ICV) program, more than 60% of the project’s value during the development and operation phases will circulate back into the UAE’s economy.

The project is expected to solidify the companies’ positions as responsible energy leaders and highlighting their commitment to driving sustainable initiatives that generate long-term value.