Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has signed an agreement with Germany’s Linde to explore the possible expansion of nitrogen facilities in Ruwais.

As part of the first step under the agreement, Linde will carry out the front-end engineering and design (Feed) study for new air separation units, which are required to expand the nitrogen requirements for Adnoc’s gas processing, petrochemicals and refining businesses.

Adnoc and Linde formed Adnoc Industrial Gases in 2007, known originally as Elixier. The first plant, Elixier 1, was commissioned in 2009 for the production and long-term supply of industrial gases to customers in Abu Dhabi. The joint venture produces gaseous nitrogen, liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen at its sites in Abu Dhabi.

“In line with its 2030 smart growth Strategy, Adnoc plans to expand and diversify its downstream refining and petrochemicals activities, while also optimizing efficiency and costs. As part of our strategic plan to increase volumes of industrial gases, the Ruwais Air Separation Unit Project will be carried out in two phases, each with the capacity to produce 70,000 cubic meters per hour of nitrogen,” said Abdulaziz al-hajri, Downstream Director, Adnoc, following the signing of the contract on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec).