Adnoc has taken the final investment decision (FID) on the Sarb deep gas development, greenlighting the offshore project inside the Ghasha concession, according to a press release. The development marks Adnoc’s expansion into the ultra-deep, high-pressure reservoirs in Sarb — a new development phase within an already-producing offshore field.

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Sarb is set to deliver 200 mn standard cubic feet per day (mmcf / d) before the end of 2030 and will be operated remotely from Arzanah Island, with production tied back to Das Island for upstream treatment at Adnoc Gas facilities. It sits 120 km offshore Abu Dhabi and centers on a new platform with four gas production wells.

This is the second major progress update for its Ghasha concession in as many months. Adnoc recently secured up to USD 11 bn in financing for its Hail and Ghasha offshore gas development, which allows the company to access capital based on future gas production, giving it funds upfront without exposing its wider balance sheet to project risk. The Ghasha concession includes a cluster of offshore oil and gas fields such as Hail, Ghasha, Dalma, Nasr, Satah al Razboot (Sarb), Bu Haseer, Shuweihat, and Mubarraz sour gas fields.

Why this matters: A FID typically marks the turning point from a project’s planning phase to concrete execution, signaling a firm’s conviction in a particular asset. This is especially true when it comes to the energy sector — often long-term, labor-intensive projects with a hefty price tag to boot — and deep gas operations, which are more technically difficult and require a bigger capital commitment. This particular play is also a boon for the UAE’s ambitions to boost energy exports and reduce reliance on LNG imports.