ADNOC Sets New Well Delivery Benchmark: 6,428 Feet Drilled in 24 Hours

In a blistering 24‑hour run, ADNOC’s drilling crew shattered expectations, pushing 6,428 feet through the UAE’s most challenging carbonate formations. The achievement, which spanned more than a mile of subsurface, marks a milestone in the company’s push to bring new production capacity online faster.

The record was set by ADNOC’s drilling team in a well that surpassed one mile in length. It was accomplished in some of the United Arab Emirates’ most complex carbonate formations—rock that is notoriously heterogeneous and subject to high pressure‑temperature conditions. The speed of the run demonstrates the effectiveness of ADNOC’s integrated digital strategy, which blends real‑time monitoring, AI‑driven analytics and cross‑functional collaboration.

Central to the success was ADNOC’s Real‑Time Intelligence Centre (RTIC). Engineers, operational specialists and subsurface experts work around the clock at the RTIC, turning live operational data into actionable insights. By continuously tracking performance and spotting improvement opportunities, the RTIC accelerates decision‑making and keeps the drilling team a step ahead.

According to the company, every well drilled across ADNOC’s operations generates thousands of data points. These data, combined with insights gathered on site and at the RTIC, allow ADNOC to accelerate learning, improve efficiency and unlock greater value from each well. The knowledge gained from one operation is applied to the next, creating a continuous improvement loop.

Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Alebri, CEO of ADNOC Onshore, said the close collaboration between ADNOC Onshore and ADNOC Drilling is helping to improve performance and accelerate the delivery of production capacity. “Technology, data and collaboration are helping us continuously improve performance across our operations,” he said. “By combining ADNOC Onshore’s deep understanding of our reservoirs with ADNOC Drilling’s world‑class capabilities, we are unlocking greater value from every well, accelerating the delivery of production capacity and bringing energy to market more efficiently in support of ADNOC’s growth ambitions.”

Abdulla Ateya Al Messabi, CEO of ADNOC Drilling, added that the company is using the knowledge gained from each well to improve planning and execution of the next. “Every well teaches the next. Every operation generates new insights that help improve the one that follows,” he said. “By combining AI, real‑time intelligence and decades of operational experience, we are creating a continuous improvement engine that is transforming performance across our business.” He concluded that the result is safer operations, smarter execution, faster well delivery and more value from every well as ADNOC helps power the UAE’s energy future.

The new benchmark reflects ADNOC’s broader approach to operational excellence. The company focuses on capturing insights from each activity, sharing knowledge across teams and applying lessons learned at scale. Supported by artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools, ADNOC’s engineers and specialists are making faster decisions, optimising drilling performance and continuing to raise the benchmark for well delivery.

ADNOC, the state‑owned oil company of Abu Dhabi, is the UAE’s largest oil producer and the world’s 12th‑largest oil company by production. In 2024, the company’s oil products represented 564 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, about 1.46 % of global emissions. ADNOC’s current production capacity exceeds 4 million barrels per day, with plans to increase to 5 million barrels per day by 2030.

The record‑setting well was drilled in a carbonate formation that is notoriously difficult to work in due to its heterogeneity and high pressure‑temperature conditions. Achieving a mile‑long section in a single day demonstrates the effectiveness of ADNOC’s integrated digital strategy, which combines real‑time monitoring, AI‑driven analytics and cross‑functional collaboration.

The achievement is part of ADNOC’s ongoing investment in digital transformation and operational excellence. By continuously refining drilling processes and improving execution across its portfolio, ADNOC aims to deliver new production capacity faster while maintaining high safety and environmental standards.

The company’s focus on data‑driven decision‑making and real‑time intelligence is expected to set a new industry benchmark for well delivery in the Middle East and beyond. ADNOC’s progress in this area underscores its commitment to meeting the UAE’s growing energy demand while pursuing efficiency and sustainability.

In summary, ADNOC’s drilling team has set a new well delivery standard by completing 6,428 feet in 24 hours, a milestone achieved through advanced digital tools, real‑time intelligence and cross‑departmental collaboration. The company plans to apply the lessons learned to future wells, aiming to accelerate production capacity and maintain safety and environmental performance as part of its broader operational excellence strategy.