ADIPEC returns to Abu Dhabi from 2 to 5 November 2026, with more than 239,000 attendees and 2,250 exhibitors expected. Hosted by ADNOC, the event has grown considerably since it began in 1984, attracting senior executives and energy professionals from across the international energy industry.
The ADIPEC exhibition has become an established meeting place for companies making decisions about the evolving energy landscape and future energy investment, with discussions in Abu Dhabi often continuing long after the exhibition has ended. This year’s record Asian participation and the growing presence of major technology companies give some indication of where the industry’s attention is turning. The outcome of ADIPEC usually results in an uptick of oil and gas companies being established, not only in Abu Dhabi, but regionally across the GCC.
Bringing the industry together at the ADIPEC exhibition
Few events bring so many of the oil and gas industry leaders together in one place. More than 1,800 speakers are expected, giving companies with international operations access to customers and potential partners who might otherwise be difficult to meet within such a short period.
Some discussions will concern projects already under way, while others may lead to business several years from now. The value of bringing so many senior executives to Abu Dhabi each year is that conversations can pick up where they left off, rather than starting again whenever a new investment opportunity arises.
Natural gas and LNG feature prominently in the conference programme, particularly the question of how producers can meet rising demand from Asia. With new supply requiring substantial investment, producers will be interested in what their customers expect to need over the coming years.
Asia’s rising demand and growing presence
Asia will have its largest representation yet, with 353 companies attending across six national pavilions. Sinopec, Petronas and INPEX are among the major energy businesses represented, alongside manufacturers competing for work on Gulf energy projects.
Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas producers have been selling to Asian customers for decades, and growing demand across the region should mean plenty more business to come. India, in particular, is expected to contribute more to global energy demand growth than any other country through 2035, while Southeast Asia is also expected to account for a substantial share.
Asian manufacturers are competing for contracts on Gulf energy projects, bringing companies from countries that have traditionally bought oil and gas from the region into closer contact with the businesses responsible for producing it.
Some of these companies will already be familiar to Gulf operators, while others may be looking for their first contracts in the region. Their presence gives an indication of the competition for work associated with future energy investment, particularly as more Asian businesses look beyond their domestic markets.
Technology takes a larger role in global energy
Siemens, Honeywell and AVEVA are among the technology companies attending, while AI and Digital Transformation attracted 1,296 technical conference submissions, more than any other category.
Honeywell will demonstrate autonomous upstream operations, while EY and Gecko Robotics will showcase robotic inspection technology for pipelines and industrial facilities. These are fairly practical examples of AI being put to work in oil and gas, rather than the more speculative applications that tend to attract headlines.
The 1,296 technical submissions on AI and Digital Transformation are perhaps more revealing than the demonstrations themselves. They suggest that the industry has a substantial body of work to discuss, much of it concerned with applying new technology to existing operations. For an exhibition long associated with drilling equipment and large engineering projects, that is an interesting development.
Abu Dhabi’s role
Hosting ADIPEC gives Abu Dhabi direct access to major international energy companies, many of which already work with ADNOC or have substantial business interests in the Gulf.
The benefits extend beyond ADNOC. International contractors and equipment suppliers come to Abu Dhabi to compete for work across the region, bringing potential customers into contact with UAE businesses. The event gives the emirate an opportunity to promote its wider industrial ambitions to companies already active in the energy sector.
With Asian participation reaching a record level and technology companies taking a greater interest in energy systems, the event continues to attract businesses whose decisions will influence future oil and gas investment. Abu Dhabi benefits from having those discussions take place on its doorstep, particularly when so much of the business under consideration concerns projects in the Gulf.
Sovereign PPG have long supported companies across the oil and gas sector with the set up of their entities across mainland Abu Dhabi, CICPA passes, SPC approvals and all related company functions required to operate and maintain an a business in the UAE. For support with your oil and gas company, contact us.
