Rich gas development Phase 3 has entered construction with the groundbreaking of a major NGL expansion at Abu Dhabi’s Ruwais Industrial Complex. The $4.3 billion project will expand the existing Ruwais Natural Gas Liquids facility. Tecnimont will execute the engineering, procurement and construction works for ADNOC Gas. The development will add a fifth NGL fractionation unit and associated processing infrastructure.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 21, 2026, marking the start of construction activities. The project forms the third phase of ADNOC Gas’ wider Rich das development programme.
ADNOC Gas awarded Tecnimont the $4.3 billion EPC contract in August 2026. The company awarded a separate $3.9 billion contract to Wison Engineering for Phase 2. Together, the two contracts represent $8.2 billion in new EPC investment.
Rich Gas Development Phase 3 expands Ruwais NGL infrastructure
The project will increase recovery of higher-value liquids from Abu Dhabi’s rich natural gas resources. Phase 3 specifically targets additional NGL recovery through new fractionation capacity at Ruwais.
Tecnimont will construct the fifth NGL fractionation unit as the central component of the expansion. Moreover, the unit will separate hydrocarbon components recovered during natural gas processing.
The EPC scope also covers treatment and sweetening systems. These systems will remove impurities and ensure the required quality of processed products.
Furthermore, Tecnimont will install a regeneration gas treatment unit and propane refrigeration system. The package also includes ancillary systems and storage facilities.
The completed plant will achieve an output capacity of approximately 23,000 tonnes per day. That capacity translates into approximately eight million tones of NGLs annually.
Furtherly, the facility will produce ethane, propane, butane, isobutane and pentane. These products serve manufacturing, petrochemical, heating and gasoline-blending applications.
Therefore, the construction will strengthen the supply of valuable feedstocks to downstream industries. It will also increase ADNOC Gas’ ability to supply NGL products to international customers.
Rich Gas Development programme reaches $13.2bn
The programme comprises three phases targeting expanded gas processing and liquids recovery. Phase 1 received approximately $5 billion in committed investment.
Phase 2 carries a $3.9 billion investment and involves a new gas processing train at Habshan. Wison Engineering will deliver that facility under its EPC contract.
Meanwhile, Phase 3 carries the $4.3 billion Ruwais NGL expansion. The two new awards bring Phases 2 and 3 to $8.2 billion.
Including Phase 1, total RGD investment reaches approximately $13.2 billion. The programme will optimize existing infrastructure and remove production bottlenecks across ADNOC Gas’ network.
ADNOC Gas says the programme will also enable development of new gas reservoirs. Additionally, it will support UAE gas self-sufficiency and increased exports.
The company expects the investment programme to strengthen feedstock availability for industrial and petrochemical sectors. It also forms part of ADNOC Gas’ broader growth strategy through 2030.
Rich Gas Development Phase 3 targets 2030 completion
Construction at Ruwais follows the final investment decision announced by ADNOC Gas in August 2026. The company expects the Phase 3 facility to reach completion in 2030.
The project will therefore add significant NGL fractionation capacity to Abu Dhabi’s existing gas infrastructure. Additionally, its construction also expands the industrial capabilities of the Ruwais complex.
Once operational, the facility will process rich gas into higher-value liquid products. Those products can then support domestic manufacturing and international export markets.
ADNOC Gas expects to invest approximately $28 billion between 2026 and 2030. The Rich gas development programme represents a significant component of that investment strategy.
The Rich das development also complements major refinery infrastructure across the region. For comparison, the $7 billion Duqm Refinery in Oman was reported 92% complete in 2022. That project targets 230,000 barrels per day of crude processing capacity and produces fuels including naphtha, jet fuel and diesel.
Project Fact Sheet
Name: Rich Gas Development (RGD) Phase 3
Component: Ruwais NGL Phase 3 expansion
Location: Ruwais Industrial Complex, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Value: $4.3 billion
Owner: ADNOC Gas
Type: Natural gas liquids fractionation and processing infrastructure
Procurement model: Engineering, procurement and construction
Current status: Construction underway
Groundbreaking: September 21, 2026
Main facility: Ruwais Natural Gas Liquids facility
New major unit: Fifth NGL fractionation unit
Planned production capacity: Approximately 23,000 tonnes per day
Annual production capacity: Approximately 8 million tonnes
Completion target: 2030
Treatment infrastructure: Treatment and sweetening systems
Gas treatment infrastructure: Regeneration gas treatment unit
Refrigeration infrastructure: Propane refrigeration system
Supporting infrastructure: Ancillary systems and storage facilities
Main NGL products: Ethane, propane, butane, isobutane and pentane
Wider program: ADNOC Gas Rich Gas Development program
Phase 1 investment: Approximately $5 billion
Combined Phase 2 and 3 EPC awards: $8.2 billion
Phase 2 investment: $3.9 billion
Phase 3 investment: $4.3 billion
Total RGD investment: Approximately $13.2 billion
Wider ADNOC Gas investment: Approximately $28 billion through 2030
Project Team
Project owner: ADNOC Gas
Parent company: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)
Main EPC contractor: Tecnimont
Parent group: MAIRE
Business unit: Integrated Engineering and Construction Solutions (IE&CS)
Main facility: Ruwais Natural Gas Liquids facility
Phase 2 EPC contractor: Wison Engineering
Project location: Ruwais Industrial Complex, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Program: Rich Gas Development (RGD) program
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