ADNOC, India mull collaboration in new energy areas, including hydrogen: CEO

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., or ADNOC, discussed with India's oil minister opportunities for collaboration in new energy sectors, including hydrogen, its CEO said March 17, as the UAE's biggest crude producer seeks to expand ties with its second biggest market.

Sultan al-Jaber, who is also UAE's minister of industry and advanced technology, discussed with Dharmendra Pradhan, India's petroleum and natural gas minister, further cooperation between the two countries, ADNOC said in a tweet.

Jaber said "ADNOC welcomes opportunities to expand partnerships in petrochemicals, logistics and services and explore collaboration in new areas, including hydrogen," the tweet read.

UAE Minister of Industry & Advanced Technology and ADNOC MD & CEO HE Dr. Sultan Al Jaber met with Indian Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, HE Dharmendra Pradhan, today to discuss further cooperation between the two countries. pic.twitter.com/0TJcPGa8Vv

— ADNOC Group (@AdnocGroup) March 17, 2021

India is seeking at "further strengthening" of bilateral energy partnership, Pradhan said on twitter, calling Jaber "a key partner in India's energy engagement globally."

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The ministers discussed "new areas of cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector and beyond and agreed to remain committed despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic," Pradhan tweeted.

Had good discussions with UAE Minister of Industry & Advanced Technology and Group CEO of @AdnocGroup H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber on further strengthening and providing greater momentum to bilateral strategic energy partnership. pic.twitter.com/4ppozWvD1n

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) March 17, 2021

Third-largest supplier

The UAE was India's third-largest supplier of crude in 2020, behind Iraq and Saudi Arabia, with volumes of 21.35 million mt and an 11% market share, according to data from GAC Shipping (India) Pvt. Ltd. In January-February, the country supplied 4.30 million mt of crude to India, accounting for a 14% market share.

ADNOC, the only overseas producer with crude stored in India's Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited, or ISPRL, is keen to supply more crude to the caverns, Jaber said Oct. 26, 2020.

Currently, ADNOC has two agreements to supply crude to ISPRL at Padur and Mangalore in Karnataka in southern India.

ISPRL has set up its SPR at three locations with a combined capacity of 5.33 million mt, with Visakhapatnam having 1.33 million mt capacity, Mangalore 1.50 million mt and Padur 2.50 million mt.

ADNOC, which counts India as its second-biggest market, also invited Indian companies to invest in the UAE's downstream sector, according to the Oct. 26 statement.

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Hydrogen deals

ADNOC has been striking a number of hydrogen deals with Asian countries.

ADNOC signed an agreement with Malaysia's Petronas that also included potential collaboration in hydrogen, the company said March 10.

The Abu Dhabi-based company is exploring opportunities to work with South Korea's GS Energy on blue hydrogen and carrier fuel export such as blue ammonia, it said March 4.

Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry struck the first fuel ammonia cooperation deal with ADNOC in January as Tokyo intends to develop its supply chain of blue ammonia, possibly in the Middle East by the late 2020s.

ADNOC currently produces around 300,000 mt/year of hydrogen for its downstream operations and plans to expand it to more than 500,000 mt/year.