An Adnoc drilling rig in action. The company has helped customers save more than $250m since 2018 through its services. Image courtesy of Adnoc
An Adnoc drilling rig in action. The company has helped customers save more than $250m since 2018 through its services. Image courtesy of Adnoc
An Adnoc drilling rig in action. The company has helped customers save more than $250m since 2018 through its services. Image courtesy of Adnoc
An Adnoc drilling rig in action. The company has helped customers save more than $250m since 2018 through its services. Image courtesy of Adnoc

Adnoc Drilling awarded $3.8bn contract


Massoud A Derhally
  • English
  • Arabic

Adnoc Drilling, the largest national drilling company in the Middle East by rig fleet size, agreed a five-year $3.8 billion contract with Adnoc Onshore for the continued provision of drilling, workover and other well services, the company said on Thursday.

The drilling subsidiary of Adnoc said the newly awarded contract will drive efficiency in work crews, rig move time and maintenance scheduling.

“Adnoc Onshore is a valued and long-standing customer and this contract award further extends a 50-year profitable and unique partnership," Abdulrahman Abdullah Al Seiari, chief executive of Adnoc Drilling, said in a statement to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, where the company's shares trade.

"We will continue to drive value for Adnoc and the UAE, delivering on the 2030 strategic production capacity and gas self-sufficiency targets. Advanced technologies and digitalisation are at the heart of this agreement, as Adnoc Drilling continues to improve efficiencies, drive further growth opportunities, while minimising our environmental footprint.”

Adnoc Drilling raised more than $1.1 billion in September from its initial public offering. The company reported a 48 per cent increase in third-quarter net profit, backed by its onshore and oilfield services segments. Net profit climbed to $178 million, from $120m in the same period a year earlier.

Adnoc maintains its majority 84 per cent stake in Adnoc Drilling, while US energy services company Baker Hughes, which entered into a strategic partnership with Adnoc Drilling in October 2018, has a 5 per cent stake and US contract oil and gas driller Helmerich & Payne holds 1 per cent.

After its IPO, Adnoc Drilling was included in three of FTSE Russell’s global indices – the FTSE Emerging Index, the FTSE Global Large Cap Index and the FTSE All-World Index. Adnoc Drilling is the only provider of fully integrated drilling services in the region and has helped companies save more than $250m since 2018, according to the statement.

The company owns 96 rigs and is the sole provider of drilling rig hire services and certain associated rig-related services to Adnoc.

Adnoc is investing $6 billion in drilling growth as it boosts its crude oil production capacity to 5 million barrels per day by 2030.

Adnoc Drilling - in pictures

  • Adnoc Drilling is one of the largest drilling companies in the Middle East. Photo: Adnoc
    Adnoc Drilling is one of the largest drilling companies in the Middle East. Photo: Adnoc
  • An Adnoc Drilling rig. The company began operations in 1972 and currently operates 107 onshore, offshore and island rigs, of which 11 are rented. Photo: Adnoc
    An Adnoc Drilling rig. The company began operations in 1972 and currently operates 107 onshore, offshore and island rigs, of which 11 are rented. Photo: Adnoc
  • An old drill head at Adnoc's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    An old drill head at Adnoc's headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Adnoc Drilling has expanded its fleet of rigs, adding 67 since 2010, in line with the growth in oil and gas production capacity at its parent company. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Adnoc Drilling has expanded its fleet of rigs, adding 67 since 2010, in line with the growth in oil and gas production capacity at its parent company. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • An Adnoc drilling rig. The company has achieved $2 billion in savings over the past five years through the use of technology. Photo: Adnoc
    An Adnoc drilling rig. The company has achieved $2 billion in savings over the past five years through the use of technology. Photo: Adnoc
  • Drilling equipment on an artificial Adnoc Drilling island. Photo: Adnoc
    Drilling equipment on an artificial Adnoc Drilling island. Photo: Adnoc
  • An Adnoc employee uses a training simulator used to enhance workplace safety. Photo: Adnoc
    An Adnoc employee uses a training simulator used to enhance workplace safety. Photo: Adnoc
  • An Adnoc artificial drilling island. The state oil company plans to raise production capacity to 5 million barrels per day by 2030. Photo: Adnoc
    An Adnoc artificial drilling island. The state oil company plans to raise production capacity to 5 million barrels per day by 2030. Photo: Adnoc
  • Adnoc Drilling made $281.6 million in net profit in the first half of 2021, with revenue hitting $1.12 billion. Photo: Adnoc
    Adnoc Drilling made $281.6 million in net profit in the first half of 2021, with revenue hitting $1.12 billion. Photo: Adnoc
  • Adnoc Drilling will offer a fixed dividend of $325m for the second half of 2021. Photo: Adnoc
    Adnoc Drilling will offer a fixed dividend of $325m for the second half of 2021. Photo: Adnoc
  • Equipment inspection at an Adnoc Drilling site. The company expects to increase its dividend by 5 per cent annually over the next five years, from $650m. Photo: Adnoc
    Equipment inspection at an Adnoc Drilling site. The company expects to increase its dividend by 5 per cent annually over the next five years, from $650m. Photo: Adnoc
  • Adnoc Drilling operates more than 9,600 wells across an area of 19,960 square kilometres. Photo: Adnoc
    Adnoc Drilling operates more than 9,600 wells across an area of 19,960 square kilometres. Photo: Adnoc

Tales of Yusuf Tadros

Adel Esmat (translated by Mandy McClure)

Hoopoe

PRISCILLA
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Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20myZoi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Syed%20Ali%2C%20Christian%20Buchholz%2C%20Shanawaz%20Rouf%2C%20Arsalan%20Siddiqui%2C%20Nabid%20Hassan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2037%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Initial%20undisclosed%20funding%20from%20SC%20Ventures%3B%20second%20round%20of%20funding%20totalling%20%2414%20million%20from%20a%20consortium%20of%20SBI%2C%20a%20Japanese%20VC%20firm%2C%20and%20SC%20Venture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas

Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa

Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong

Rating: 3/5

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh100,000 (estimate)

Engine 2.4L four-cylinder 

Gearbox Nine-speed automatic 

Power 184bhp at 6,400rpm

Torque 237Nm at 3,900rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.4L/100km

Seven tips from Emirates NBD

1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details

2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet

3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details

4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure

5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs  (one-time passwords) with third parties

6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies

7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank 

EXPATS
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UAE%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EMen%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Saif%20Al%20Zaabi%2C%20Salem%20Al%20Marzooqi%2C%20Zayed%20Al%20Ansaari%2C%20Saud%20Abdulaziz%20Rahmatalla%2C%20Adel%20Shanbih%2C%20Ahmed%20Khamis%20Al%20Blooshi%2C%20Abdalla%20Al%20Naqbi%2C%20Khaled%20Al%20Hammadi%2C%20Mohammed%20Khamis%20Khalaf%2C%20Mohammad%20Fahad%2C%20Abdulla%20Al%20Arimi.%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWomen%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mozah%20Al%20Zeyoudi%2C%20Haifa%20Al%20Naqbi%2C%20Ayesha%20Al%20Mutaiwei.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Updated: December 09, 2021, 6:47 AM