ADNOC Gas signs 10-year LNG deal with Indian gas company

The 10-year agreement will see the subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. providing India's leading natural gas company with 0.5 million metric tonnes of LNG per annum. Supplied
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Updated 30 January 2024
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ADNOC Gas signs 10-year LNG deal with Indian gas company

RIYADH: India’s state-owned energy firm, GAIL, will receive a liquefied natural gas supply following the conclusion of a long-term purchase deal with Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC Gas.   

The 10-year agreement will see the subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. providing India’s leading natural gas company with 0.5 million metric tonnes of LNG per annum, according to a statement.    

This move is expected to fortify India’s energy security, foster economic collaboration, and propel both GAIL and ADNOC into new realms of strategic partnership, the release added.     

Simultaneously, the deal will fuel GAIL’s strategic growth objectives to cater to its downstream customers in the rapidly evolving natural gas landscape of the Asian country.      

Sandeep Kumar Gupta, chairman and managing director at GAIL, said: “This long-term LNG deal with ADNOC by GAIL will contribute to bridging the gap in India’s demand and supply of natural gas and will open more avenues of strategic partnership between GAIL and ADNOC in other areas of energy domain.”     

He further explained that the contract will help India move toward the government’s objective of enhancing the share of natural gas in the country’s energy basket to 15 percent.     

On a company level, the deal will help GAIL expand its LNG portfolio to better serve its diverse consumer profile, the chairman added.  

According to the terms of the agreement, deliveries will commence across the country starting in 2026.  

“This long-term LNG supply agreement with GAIL India marks a significant step forward in our commitment to continue providing reliable and sustainable energy solutions to our partners and customers around the world,” said Ahmed Mohamed Alebri, CEO of ADNOC Gas.   

“India continues to be a key market for ADNOC Gas, and this latest supply agreement underscores our ongoing dedication to fostering long-term partnerships that promote responsible energy consumption,” he added.   

Furthermore, this development between the two firms is expected to strengthen the already robust cultural and economic bonds between the UAE and India.    

Headquartered in New Delhi, GAIL owns and operates a network of over 16,000 km of natural gas pipelines spread across the country, with concurrent efforts to expand its reach further. 

The deal also follows an agreement made in 2022 between GAIL and ADNOC. Both parties agreed to explore collaboration opportunities, including GAIL purchasing LNG from ADNOC for various durations, ranging from short term to medium and long-term. 

Additionally, the agreement follows several recent international deals for the sale of LNG signed by ADNOC Gas. These include contracts with the Japan Petroleum Exploration Corp. Ltd., Total Energies, the Indian Oil Corp., and PetroChina.


Saudi carrier flyadeal expects 20–25% capacity growth on fleet expansion

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Saudi carrier flyadeal expects 20–25% capacity growth on fleet expansion

RIYADH: Saudi low-cost carrier flyadeal expects its capacity to grow by 20 to 25 percent next year as it expands its fleet, aiming for an “operational leap” with a total of 98 aircraft, CEO Steven Greenway told Al-Eqtisadiah. 

The company’s historic expansion is set to begin in 2027, with a new aircraft delivery scheduled each month until 2029 to reach the planned fleet size. 

The airline carried 11 million passengers this year, with projections of 12 to 13 million passengers next year as the expansion takes effect. 

It reported a 35 percent year-on-year increase in capacity this December, according to Greenway. The growth plan includes the addition of new aircraft types, notably the wide-body A330neo, which can carry 420 passengers. 

International route restructuring 

The wide-body aircraft, joining flyadeal’s fleet for the first time, will be capable of connecting Saudi airports on long-haul routes spanning from Western Europe to Southeast Asia. 

This will allow the airline to significantly expand its international network and develop a transcontinental operational structure to meet rising demand for travel to and from the Kingdom. 

In line with this, flyadeal plans to restructure its operations over the next two years to achieve a balanced mix of domestic and international flights. 

This mix represents a significant shift from the current operational structure, which relies on an 80 percent domestic and 20 percent international flight model. Greenway said the new structure shows a clear vision to support Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism openness and strengthen the Kingdom’s global connectivity. 

44th aircraft arrives by year-end 

The airline closed last year with a fleet of 36 aircraft, adding eight more this year. By the end of 2025, flyadeal will have 44 aircraft, with one final delivery expected next week, Greenway said. 

The short-term plan includes adding four new aircraft next year, bringing the fleet to 48, comprising traditional A320s, fuel-efficient A320neos, and A321s with 240 seats. 

Saudi aviation market 

The Kingdom’s aviation sector recorded notable growth last year, with passenger numbers exceeding 128 million, a 15 percent year-on-year increase. 

The General Authority of Civil Aviation reported more than 905,000 flights, up 11 percent from 2024, while air connectivity grew 16 percent to over 170 destinations worldwide. 

Air cargo also posted exceptional growth, rising 34 percent to 1.2 million tonnes. The four main airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Madinah accounted for 82 percent of total air traffic last year.