The UAE is targeting an increase in gas production to 10 billion cubic feet a day (cf/d) by 2014, up from its current output of 7.8 billion cf/d, the director-general of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) announced.

Abdulla Nasser al-Suwaidi, speaking at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec 2013) in Abu Dhabi on 10 November, said the emirate was expanding its gas production “mainly to meet the local demand forecast”.

Al-Suwaidi said Abu Dhabi is still on target to expanding crude production by 3.5 million barrels a day (b/d) by 2017.

Abu Dhabi is also on target to double refining capacity by 2014 when the Ruwais refinery expansion comes onstream, and boost petrochemicals production to 4.5 million tonnes a year (t/y), also during next year, he added.

Adnoc is assessing opportunities to increase enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in Abu Dhabi and explore the potential for unconventional oil and gas production.

“We are assessing unconventional hydrocarbons in Abu Dhabi,” said Al-Suwaidi. “It is a natural progression for the oil and gas sector [and we are] looking for partnerships to develop such opportunities the future.”