OMM Newsroom
The ADIPEC 2026 energy exhibition and conference in Abu Dhabi has concluded after four days. More than 50,000 deals were signed at the event, with a combined value of about $67 billion, 26.4% higher than last year. The event brought together participants from 170 countries, AnewZ reports.
Held under the patronage of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and hosted by ADNOC, the event took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Meetings and deal-making continued until the final hours, while participants began preparing for next year’s event.
Energy security at the center of discussions
Tightening energy supplies, rising transportation costs and pressure on international supply chains were among the main topics discussed at the event.
ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber said on the opening day that supply buffers in the global energy system had fallen to dangerously low levels. Diesel inventories in some regions, he said, were at their lowest for this time of year in 35 years, while other markets faced a shortfall of 600 billion cubic feet in liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies.
Al Jaber stressed that energy security should be measured not only by production but also by reliable delivery. Transportation costs currently account for about 30% of the price of a barrel, he said.
Al Jaber outlined five priorities: increasing affordable energy supplies, protecting transport routes, improving operational awareness, mobilizing political, financial and insurance support, and investing in the workforce.
The discussions took place amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and mounting pressure on international supply chains. More than 40 ministers and politicians attended, including senior representatives from Germany, Canada, Egypt, Austria, Japan, Kazakhstan and Nigeria. More than 1,800 speakers took part in 380-plus sessions across 13 programs.
AI projects move into implementation
Artificial intelligence was also a major theme at the event. Energy sector leaders shifted their focus from pilot projects to the practical deployment of the technology.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, speaking at the opening ceremony, said artificial intelligence could help solve complex energy challenges, speed up decision-making and improve operational efficiency.
One of the week’s major technology developments was a partnership between ADNOC, OpenAI and G42. The exhibition space dedicated to AI was 20% larger than last year. Technology companies including Microsoft, NVIDIA, IBM, Huawei, Honeywell and Siemens took part.
Innovations on display included Gecko Robotics’ Raptor inspection robot and Honeywell’s Forge Upstream platform. Autonomous operations, digital twins, advanced manufacturing and technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions were also showcased.
Exhibition space and number of participating companies reach records
ADIPEC 2026 was the largest edition in the event’s history in terms of exhibition space. A total of 2,260 companies were represented across 16 halls, 30 national pavilions and four specialized industry zones. The venue was fully booked, with China, the United States and Italy leading in exhibitor numbers.
Participation from Asian countries also reached a record, with 353 companies exhibiting, a 12% year-on-year increase. China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea were represented by national pavilions.
SOCAR, Azerbaijan’s state oil company, attracted the attention of industry representatives, potential partners and international delegations over the four days. Visitors learned about the company’s operations, ongoing projects and future plans, while several enterprises expressed interest in possible cooperation.
ADNOC CEO Sultan Al Jaber also visited SOCAR’s stand and met with the Azerbaijani delegation. The visit highlighted the company’s participation in the international event.
For SOCAR, the exhibition provided an opportunity to strengthen its international standing, showcase its operations and engage directly with energy producers, service providers, investors and government representatives. The event also served as a platform to explore new partnerships and expand business ties in global energy markets.
Major energy deals announced in Abu Dhabi
Several major commercial agreements were announced at the exhibition, underscoring continued investment in energy infrastructure and international projects.
XRG, ADNOC’s international investment arm, agreed to buy Shell’s stake in Australia’s North West Shelf LNG project for $1.5 billion. The deal is expected to strengthen its gas portfolio and ties with Asia-Pacific markets.
Meanwhile, TA’ZIZ announced the completion of 5.1 billion UAE dirhams in financing for its Ruwais Terminal and Ammonia projects. Demand for both transactions exceeded the amounts offered.
ADIPEC 2027 to take place from Nov. 1 to 4
ADIPEC Chairman Abdulmunim Saif Al Kindy said the event demonstrated the importance of energy resilience and awareness to global stability and economic growth. Christopher Hudson, president of organizer dmg events, said the record number of exhibitors reflected the industry’s confidence and commitment to continued investment.
Media attendance also increased: about 1,000 journalists and content creators participated, up 14% from 2025.
Discussions, partnerships and technologies presented at ADIPEC 2026 are expected to influence the agendas of upcoming international energy events. The event also reinforced the UAE’s position as a hub for industry dialogue, investment and innovation.
ADIPEC 2027 will be held in Abu Dhabi from Nov. 1 to 4, 2027.
