ADNOC has brought BP and TotalEnergies into the Bab Gas Cap project, one of Abu Dhabi’s largest gas fields. Both European supermajors signed concession agreements on Thursday to each take a 10% stake in the consortium, marking a major expansion of international involvement in the UAE’s upstream gas sector.
The Bab Gas Cap concession is expected to produce up to 1.5 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of gas, which BP described as 'the largest gas cap development of its kind globally'. This output would significantly bolster Abu Dhabi’s gas supply capacity, supporting domestic power generation and potential export growth.
ADNOC is leading the development, with BP and TotalEnergies providing technical expertise and capital. The project targets tapping the gas cap above the Bab oil field, a mature asset that has long been a cornerstone of ADNOC’s production. No timeline for first gas or total investment figures were disclosed in the announcements.
The deal underscores deepening ties between Gulf NOCs and Western majors seeking long-term gas assets amid energy transition uncertainties. For BP and TotalEnergies, Abu Dhabi offers low-cost, low-emissions production relative to other global basins, alongside strategic access to Asian and European markets.
Critics argue that such partnerships lock in fossil fuel dependence at a time when climate goals demand a rapid shift away from natural gas. Environmental groups have flagged that even 'large gas cap' projects carry significant methane leakage risks, potentially undermining their climate credentials.