ABU DHABI- H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, today inaugurated ADNOCs Central Control Centre on Das Island during a visit to the companys operations on Zirku and Das islands.

During the visit, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan reiterated that the UAE, under the wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will continue to develop the necessary economic infrastructure, with a focus on the oil and gas industry. He praised ADNOC's efforts to become a more commercially minded and performance led company to ensure that the UAE maintains its leadership in the global energy sector.

Speaking on the occasion, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed said, "ADNOC's experiences and capabilities will support the execution of its strategy to transform the company and enable it to keep pace with changes in the global energy landscape. The transformation will ensure the future success of ADNOC, which will remain an important cornerstone of Abu Dhabi and the UAEs socio-economic growth," Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO, welcomed H.H. Sheikh Hamdan to Zirku Island and Das Island.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Dhiyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Department of Transport, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Rear Admiral Pilot Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Commander of the UAE Naval Forces, Jassim Mohammed Buatabh Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Falah Mohammad Al Ahbabi, Chairman of the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities, Lt. General Abdullah Mohair Al Ketbi, Commander of the Support Units, Mohamed Hamad bin Azzan Al Mazrouei, Under-Secretary of the Ruler's Representative Court in Al Dhafra Region, Sultan bin Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Director of the Rulers Representative Office, in the Al Dhafra Region, Ateeq Khamis Al Mazroui, Director-General of Al Dhafra Municipality and Lt. General Pilot Abdulla Mohammed Khuaidem Al Neyadi, Commander of The Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority.

Abdulmunim Saif Al Kindy, Director of ADNOCs Upstream Directorate, Abdulaziz Abdulla Alhajri, Director of ADNOCs Downstream Directorate and Saif Al Falahi, Manager of ADNOCs General Services and Protocol Unit, were also in attendance.

Dr. Al Jaber said, "We are pleased to welcome H.H. Sheikh Hamdan to our facilities on Zirku and Das Island and are grateful for his, and the UAE leaderships, unwavering support as we implement our 2030 smart growth styrategy. ADNOC is an integral part of the economy and the nations prosperity, and we are transforming our business to ensure that we continue to create the greatest value from the nations natural resources.

"The inauguration of the Central Control Centre underlines our continuing commitment to create efficiencies and enhance the performance of our operations across the entire value chain, as we work to ensure that ADNOC is fit to both lead and thrive in the new energy era."The visit began on the island of Zirku, where H.H. Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on ADNOCs offshore strategy and expansion plans. He visited ADNOC's operations on the island, as well as its residential areas and natural reserves, and had lunch with a group of ADNOC employees.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan then visited Das Island, where he inaugurated ADNOCs Central Control Centre, which will enhance the performance of ADNOCs offshore operations. The centre is equipped with advanced technology that will also augment the safety of ADNOCs offshore operations, while at the same time contributing to energy efficiencies.

While on Das Island, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan visited the Rulers Representative residence, which has been restored and transformed into a museum that includes many historical photographs and artifacts, including the map that was presented to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the UAE, during his visit to the island in 1973, and a book he signed during the visit.

Das Island is located 182 km away from Abu Dhabi and was the location of the first offshore oil shipment from Abu Dhabi, in 1962, to Japan. In 1973, the first LNG production company in the Middle East and North Africa region was established on Das Island. Oilfields that are linked to the island include Umm al-Shaif, and Lower Zakum. The island of Zirku is located 140 km away from Abu Dhabi. It has facilities to process and export crude oil and condensates from the oil fields to which it has been linked, including Upper Zakum, Umm al-Dalkh and Satah.



Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.