Oil

1972-1975

The late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace- approved a third agreement between Abu Dhabi and Mitsubishi Companies Union to excavate oil with the total area of 6500 km. In 1972, Al Maqtah Bridge connecting Abu Dhabi city with the land was opened. Moreover, the new electricity station and cement factory were inaugurated as well, where the latter is the greatest factory of its type in the Middle East. In 1972, he also signed a 10-year agreement with Gulf Caltex, which states that this company may market all types of oil products refined by Caltex in the region.                                                                                           

In 1973, he also ordered that operations of establishing gas liquidation factory be started when he said, “Everybody who is in charge of something must know that he shall be sincere and loyal to his family whether is senior or subordinate or his world is small or big. The one who is entrusted to do something must be faithful, honest and straight as bestowed upon him by Allah, the almighty so that people would live happily and lead a decent life. By grace of Allah, this shall be our road. As long as we are alive, we pray to Allah, the Almighty to guide us to the right path”.       

                                                                                   
In 1973, the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace- signed an oil agreement with a group of Japanese companies, which were Marzon, Dicoya, Nebon Smit Companies under the name of Abu Dhabi Oil Company Ltd for the purpose of exploring oil in the Mebrez marine area. In 1974, he ordered that fish marketing be organized across the country provided that old invest bank shall provide loans to fishermen so that they can buy modern boats and ships as an indication of his concern with helping them. In addition, he also issued four laws to establish Abu Dhabi National Oil Tanks and Abu Dhabi National Hotel Company. Provisions of the federal law concerning pension for UAE nationals working in Abu Dhabi were also enforced. In the same year, he also issued a decision on establishing Abu Dhabi Drilling Chemicals and Equipment Company with the total capital of AED 200 million where the government of Abu Dhabi has the share of 60% and the American N L & Strees Company has the share of 40%.

In 1972, the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace- ordered that a government owned by the government of Abu Dhabi, which is ADNOC be established. ADNOC also set up many subsidiaries totaling 15 companies. Basically, ADNOC focuses on establishing huge oil and gas complexes or centers in Al Ruweis area and Das and Hashban Islands. In addition, a developed industrial base was also established. Moreover, oil, gas, other oil products, and fertilizers as well as petrochemicals are also exported.  Furthermore, ADCO was also incorporated where the first shipment of crude oil extracted from land oilfields was exported abroad. Quantity of such material totaled 3318 tons that was loaded from Al Danna Mountain Port to a refinery in the British Wales District.                                                                                        

1976-1979

In 1977, the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace- opened the formation of the first board of directors for Abu Dhabi Marine Areas (ADMA) in which the government of Abu Dhabi has the share of 60% and three foreign companies by 40%. Thus, the UAE entered a new phase of the controlling policy over utilization of its human resources. In the same year, he also ordered that the ships polluting the territorial waters of the country be controlled and the laws protecting water from pollution be enforced. He also ordered that 115 farms be established in Al Wajn area and 24 farms in Al Sad and be distributed to farmers. In addition, he also ordered that 100 new farms be distributed to the UAE nationals in both Al Khazna and Dahan areas. Above all, he also issued a law regarding the protection of oil resources in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and banning gas combustion as well as utilizing them in the production process.  

1980-1983

In the area of the proper disposal of solid waste, the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace- reiterated that the UAE makes every effort to control the causes of global warming. Such method depends on operation of all power generation and water desalination stations by using the natural gas, which is regarded as the least dangerous materials affecting the hemisphere. In 1980, he issued directives to the Minister of Oil and Minerals that he should take the necessary measures for encountering pollution dangers caused in case that oil spill comes closer to the territorial waters of the country due to the explosion of an oil well in KSA. He also ordered that work be started at three oilfields of Dalma Island. In 1981, he identified the industrial area in the Island and ordered that it be developed. 

In 1982, the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace- opened the biggest oil refinery in the UAE, called Al Ruweis Refinery, which is the second refinery after Umm Al Nar in the country. As part of a significant development for linking these two refineries with joint pipeline, Abu Dhabi Oil Refinery Company announced that 8 international companies were nominated to make their offers of detailed engineering works and purchase materials and installations for the oil products pipeline network project between Al Ruweis Refinery and Abu Dhabi Refinery. In 1982, Al Ruweis Complex was established.                      

1984-1987

In 1984, Petroleum Investment Company was established upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace. The aim of establishing such a company was to take the lucrative investment opportunities available in the area of oil and power projects and companies.                                                                                     

In 1986, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) started providing a new service of supplying ships with fuel in the territorial waters of the country upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace. In addition, the Company also implemented a project for transferring one of the old pipeline from Jashman oilfield to Abu Hasa pipeline for drinking water with an opposite direction.        

         
In 1987, under the patronage of the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace, several oil projects including sea and land projects were implemented. As for land projects, there was Bab oilfield development, for instance. In addition, oil installations were also built in the oilfields located in the eastern part of Abu Dhabi and water injection project was implemented as well. Moreover, electric power generation capacity in Bab and Bu Hasa oilfields was also enhanced. With regard to sea projects, there was gas development project in Umm Al Sheef Oilfield.

In 1985, under the patronage of the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace- a new solar energy water desalination station with the total production capacity of 80 ton of sweet water per day was opened in Umm Al Nar. He also ordered the National Drilling Company to conduct a comprehensive survey of ground water sources in the emirate of Abu Dhabi with the total cost of AED 50 million. 

1992-1995

In 1992, Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company signed a deal with the International Bechtel Company to develop Umm Al Shif gas field under the patronage of the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace. He also ordered that Zakom Oilfield, which is the biggest one worldwide in terms of storage be developed in cooperation with Zadko and ADMA companies.                 

                                                                
In 1993, ANJSCO was established in Abu Dhabi. This company has two branches in Tokyo and Das Island. It is a national gas shipping company that has a fleet of 8 vessels for carrying liquidated natural gas from Das Island to Japan. In addition, 35 docks were set up for the maintenance and repair of vessels.                                                                                  

In 1995, ADNOC set certain criteria to protect the environment upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace. Therefore, Waste drainage water was treated in Das Island and Zarkoh. Moreover, gas combustion and waste factory were also reduced in Das Island. In addition, the acid gas was disposed by injecting it into Mebrez Island. Above all, oil drain facilities and wastewater in the land fields were also disposed as well.

Awards of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace                                                                                          

The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace- was one of the world leaders who obtain merits, certificates of appreciation and medals the most for his efforts in the area of environment conservation. For example, he was granted the award of Man of Environment and Development in 1993. In fact, he was nominated to obtain such a title at the intellectual dialogue forum held as part of the 8th Arab Youth Festival activities in Beirut in recognition of the great achievements and feats made by the UAE in the area of environment. Moreover, he also obtained the medal of League of Arab States in 1993 where the League of Arab States granted him the merit of man of environment and permanent development in recognition of his key role and continued efforts in the area of environment protection. In addition, he was also nominated to obtain the title of Development Personality in 1995 through a survey conducted by the first Orient Centre for Media Researches and Studies in Jeddah in which over half million Arab people across the world participated. In recognition of the strenuous efforts made in the area of agriculture and food supply as well as desertification combating, Food and Agriculture Organization granted the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace- the meritorious award and gold medal in 1995.                          

1996-1999

In 1997, Sea Transport Company was established in Abu Dhabi by ships Investment Company, which provided around 5 ships. Activities of its operation include transferring the concrete from the UAE to all GCC States and carry raw iron on huge ships to be then transported to Steel Factory.   

                                                                                           
In 1999, upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace-, the Emirates National Company Ltd opened the first oil refinery, which cost around AED 1.5 billion. It produces 120,000 barrels per day. Such refinery produces diesel and airplane fuel for local consumption; however, its main production is nafata material, which is exported to countries of the east. In the same year, the national contingency plan for protecting marine environment from oil pollution and hazardous materials was devised. Such a plan focused on exploring oil, water desalination stations, power generation and free zones. It also intensifies ships control activities relating to their conformity to international laws before they are licensed to operate in the territorial waters of the UAE.   

                                              
2000-2004

In 2000, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established Abu Dhabi Petroleum Institute with the aim of developing UAE national cadres and attracting them to enter into oil industry. This Institute offers bachelor and postgraduate study programs on various majors including earth sciences engineering, and electrical engineering. In addition, ADNOC established a branch for this institute in the western region and signed an agreement with the American Colorado University to supervise the program curriculum. In 2000, Dolphin was established. Such a project is considered the first one of its type in the Middle East Region for transferring gas to many countries via pipeline.                                                                     

In 2002, Burooj Petrochemicals Centre was established under the patronage of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace. This Centre was built on the total area of 260 hectares with the total cost of $ 1.2 billion. The main function of this Centre is to break down ethylene. Burooj managed to participate along with over 1000 around the world. Above all, Dolphin Gas Project was opened to extract, treat and produce gas from the northern field and transfer it via a marine pipeline to the UAE.    

                                                                         
Awards of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace                                                                                             
In 2000, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan-May Allah rest his soul in peace- was selected to be the Man of Environment by the Botanic Quality Institute in recognition of his efforts and concern with the environment. In 2002, he received the UN Environment Program Medal in appreciation of his efforts in the area of environment and harnessing all potentials and resources for protecting the environment.