The UAE is making a significant mark on the global energy stage through XRG, the international investment arm of Adnoc, which is spearheading a major project in the Caspian Sea. By acquiring a 30 percent stake in the Absheron gas field off the coast of Azerbaijan, the company is moving beyond mere extraction to oversee the entire value chain. Working alongside partners like Socar and TotalEnergies, the project aims to quadruple production capacity by 2029, with long-term supply agreements already solidified with buyers in Turkey and beyond.

This venture is bolstered by a strategic investment in the Southern Gas Corridor, a massive 3,500-kilometre pipeline network that bridges the gap between Caspian resources and European markets. By securing interests in both the production field and the transit infrastructure, XRG is leveraging decades of Emirati oil and gas expertise to manage complex cross-border energy logistics. This approach not only helps European nations diversify their energy supplies but also serves as a training ground for UAE professionals, allowing them to hone their skills in foreign commercial environments before bringing that valuable knowledge back to the domestic energy sector.