FRANKFURT, May 25 (Reuters) - Austrian oil and gas group OMV and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) agreed on Thursday to explore opportunities for cooperation, among others in downstream projects.

The two companies said in a joint statement they had signed a memorandum of understanding.

The agreement provides for cooperation areas, including the evaluation of opportunities in downstream projects, the exchange of knowledge and experience in refining operations and refinery-petrochemical integration and optimization, and downstream technical and maintenance support, they said.

(Reporting by Maria Sheahan; editing by Susan Thomas) ((maria.sheahan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 69 7565 1286; Reuters Messaging: maria.sheahan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))