Bab Gas Cap project enters a crucial construction phase as contractors compete for its $8 billion main plant package. The tender targets a major processing facility in Abu Dhabi’s Bab area, about 170 kilometers from the capital.
The plant will support production from the Bab gas cap reservoirs and strengthen the UAE’s domestic gas supply. Industry reports identify four established consortiums alongside additional contractors invited into the competition. The wider development remains subject to a final investment decision.
Bab Gas Cap project draws global EPC contenders
ADNOC Gas issued the main plant tender on June 25, 2026, according to project updates. The tender covers EPC Package 1, which represents the largest of four planned packages. Technical bids were initially due on July 17, according to MEED. However, the deadline was later extended by four months to November 16, 2026.
Four established bidding teams are competing for the package. They include Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon with Samsung E&A. Saipem is partnering with Abu Dhabi-based NMDC Energy. Technip Energies has joined JGC Corporation and Sinopec. Tecnimont is bidding with China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation.
Additional contractors have also received invitations to participate in the bid process. These include McDermott International, Petrofac, Jereh Group and Wison Engineering. The wider field creates additional competition around a technically complex gas processing facility. ADNOC Gas has declined to comment on speculation surrounding commercial negotiations.
The bidding structure places strong emphasis on process engineering, construction capability and package coordination. The main plant must integrate several treatment systems before gas enters downstream networks. Meanwhile, bidders must assess interfaces with separate civil, pipeline and non-process packages.
Bab Gas Cap project advances toward major construction works
The planned facility will process up to 1.85 billion cubic feet of additional raw gas daily. ADNOC Gas expects the new facilities to increase existing processing capacity by more than 20%. The company awarded Worley Engineering the FEED contract in December 2024.
Worley’s design covers gas processing and conditioning units, acid gas recovery and dehydration facilities. It also includes sulfur recovery, NGL recovery and carbon dioxide capture systems. Furthermore, the scope includes injection facilities, utilities and product pipelines.
The pipeline design will support liquid sulfur transfers to the Habshan Sulfur Granulation Plant. Meanwhile, the upstream development targets about 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas daily. It could also produce approximately 80,000 barrels of condensate daily.
Construction will therefore require close coordination between upstream production facilities and the new processing plant. Existing Habshan facilities cannot handle the additional gas volumes alone. Consequently, the Bab development requires dedicated processing infrastructure near the field.
The four-package structure separates major construction interfaces across different work scopes. Package 2 covers early civil works, while Package 3 covers pipelines. Package 4 covers non-process facilities and associated works.
Construction scope and wider UAE gas strategy
The Bab Gas Cap concession covers ADNOC and six international partners. ADNOC holds a 60% interest and operates through ADNOC Onshore. TotalEnergies and BP each hold 10% interests. CNPC holds 8%, while JODCO/INPEX holds 5%.
China ZhenHua Oil holds 4%, while Korea GS Energy holds the remaining 3%. The UAE awarded the concession in June 2026 through its Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs. Authorities describe it as the world’s largest gas cap development of its kind.
The project supports the UAE’s wider drive for greater gas self-sufficiency. It also supports domestic demand and Abu Dhabi’s expanding LNG value chain. However, the main EPC award remains pending, while construction timing has not been officially confirmed.
ADNOC Gas has said it is taking a cautious approach to the investment decision. The company wants greater clarity on feed composition, demand and the competitive landscape. That approach keeps the EPC race active while the project moves toward its next investment milestone.
The Bab Gas Cap project is also part of ADNOC’s broader push to expand gas processing and strengthen domestic gas supply. This strategy includes the $13.2 billion Rich Gas Development programme, which is advancing major processing and NGL infrastructure across Abu Dhabi.
Project Fact Sheet
Project: Bab Gas Cap Development
Location: Bab onshore field, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Main EPC package: Bab Gas Cap Main Processing Plant
Estimated Package 1 value: Up to $8 billion
Processing capacity: Up to 1.85 billion cubic feet of raw gas daily
Target gas production: Up to 1.5 billion cubic feet daily
Target condensate production: About 80,000 barrels daily
EPC structure: Four packages covering plant, early civil works, pipelines and non-process works
Current status: Main plant tendering and development before final investment decision
Technical bid deadline: November 16, 2026
FEED consultant: Worley Engineering Pty Ltd
FEED awarded: December 2024
Expected capacity impact: More than 20% increase in ADNOC Gas processing capacity
FEED scope: More than 1.2 million engineering man-hours
Key systems: Gas conditioning, acid gas recovery, dehydration, sulfur recovery and NGL recovery
Additional systems: Carbon dioxide capture, injection facilities, utilities and product pipelines
Downstream connection: Liquid sulfur transfer to Habshan Sulfur Granulation Plant
Project significance: Supports UAE gas self-sufficiency and LNG value-chain growth
Project Team
Concession holder: ADNOC – 60%
Concession partners:
- TotalEnergies EP Holdings UAE B.V. – 10%
- BP Abu Dhabi – 10%
- CNPC International – 8%
- JODCO Onshore/INPEX – 5%
- China ZhenHua Oil – 4%
- Korea GS E&P – 3%
Upstream operator: ADNOC Onshore
Gas processing developer: ADNOC Gas
FEED consultant: Worley Engineering Pty Ltd
Bidding consortium:
- Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon + Samsung E&A
- Saipem + NMDC Energy
- Technip Energies + JGC Corporation + Sinopec
- Tecnimont + China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation
Additional invited bidders:
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