Middle East

In a strategic geographical area for energy industry development, we operate through technological innovation, scientific expertise and fast start-ups.

The data on the page will be updated with the presentation of the Strategic Plan 2023-2026.

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Strategic deals and diversification: fast energy access

Our challenges

Over the past few years the area has become increasingly strategic for our business, where we are engaged not only in traditional activities but also in the development of low-carbon projects aimed at facilitating the energy transition and economic diversification.

Eni has been active in the region since the 1950s thanks to the initiative of Enrico Mattei, who was able to create fair and lasting partnerships with producer countries. In recent years we have increased our presence in this area, which has become a strategic hub for our operations. Historically a global leader in hydrocarbon production, with half of proven global reserves, the Middle East is now seeking to establish itself as a global laboratory for new strategies and technologies, rethinking the use of traditional sources and exploiting the potential of renewables. The volatility of the price of hydrocarbons, accentuated by the demand shock triggered by the Coronavirus pandemic and by the more recent geopolitical tensions, has heightened the need for producer countries to diversify their economies and the social contract itself, which is still too closely linked to the redistribution of oil revenues. In addition to the need to reduce dependence on the hydrocarbon sector, the countries in the area must deal with other important challenges such as the overall redefinition of development models or the launch of new, more stable forms of cooperation between governments and industry, so as to combine economic growth and green technological innovation while also ensuring social cohesion and stability.

The strategy

We are present in the area throughout the energy chain, where we operate in line with the strategy of economic diversification and circularity, contributing to the satisfaction of the growing domestic energy demand and to decarbonisation.

We are a key player in the development of gas resources in the East Mediterranean, leveraging major discoveries in Egypt and numerous other initiatives in the area, and are increasingly investing to contribute to decarbonisation. In keeping with our strategy to diversify our portfolio, even geographically, since the end of 2017 we have been rapidly expanding in the Middle East. We are a key player in projects and initiatives throughout the entire value chain, from exploration to development, production, refining and trading, in a geographically strategic area at the centre of the main energy routes to the markets of Europe, Asia and Africa. By entering the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Lebanon, building on our established presence in Iraq and Egypt, we are strengthening our integrated approach and business resilience. In the United Arab Emirates, thanks to our fruitful partnership with ADNOC, in 2019 we further expanded and diversified our portfolio of refining and trading operations, and in 2020 we launched a major initiative for the joint development of research aimed at creating advanced low-carbon technological solutions for the reduction, capture, utilisation and storage of CO₂. We are also supporting ADNOC in its onshore electrification projects to power production facilities in offshore fields with energy from sources that have a lower carbon footprint, replacing gas. In September 2021 we signed a cooperation agreement with Mubadala Petroleum, which opens up potential joint opportunities in the energy transition in the Middle East and beyond.

We are leaning into the future of energy, and following our distinctive model of cooperation with partner countries we are also committed to the energy transition and the development of the circular economy. It is with this in mind that in 2021 we launched a partnership to develop circular economy projects in Bahrain in harmony with the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for the efficient recovery of water, soil and waste.

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Oil & natural gas net developed and not developed in Middle East 2021

at 31 December 2021
18,680 km²
total net acreage in United Arab Emirates
at 31 December 2021
446km²
total net acreage in Iraq
152,898 km² total net acreage in Asia
at 31 December 2021
2,858km²
total net acreage in Bahrain
at 31 December 2021
1,461km²
total net acreage in Lebanon
at 31 December 2021
58,955km²
total net acreage in Oman

Eni and ADNOC together for sustainable energy for the future

applicable to business thanks to the deal signed on 20 January 2020
Studyprocesses
and technologies in the field of circular economy
with the aim of increasing its recovery factor and use it for permanent storage
2projects
to improve management of CO2 injected in fields
R&D projects for emissions reduction and circular economy
for the reduction, capture, use or confinement of CO₂ emissions in fields
1MoU
for the joint development of research initiatives
resulting in the decarbonization of the hydrocarbon chain
New
high-efficiency technologies to capture CO2
in line with Eni's decarbonization strategy and ADNOC's sustainability goals
Newsolutions
with the aim of leading the energy transition

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Projects in the Middle East

We are developing business activities throughout the area and promoting fair, responsible and sustainable industrialisation.

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Ghasha: oil&gas in the United Arab Emirates

This project is made up of the Hail, Ghasha, Dalma and other offshore fields located in the United Arab Emirates. It will produce more than 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas per day with expected start-up in the middle of the next decade. 

The gas produced could meet over 20 per cent of the United Arab Emirates' domestic demand for gas.

More about Ghasha
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Health care and staff training in Iraq

We work to improve the quality of the haematology, oncology and surgery services at the Basra Children’s Hospital.  SDGs: 3

In collaboration with the Gaslini Institute in Genova, we are building a new ward, supplying equipment and repairing and upgrading existing systems.

more about the project
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Ruwais: refining in the United Arab Emirates

In 2018, we acquired 20 per cent of the Ruwais refinery in Abu Dhabi, which gives us one of the best expansion opportunities on the market.

This acquisition will allow us to increase our global refining capacity by about 35 per cent and significantly improves productivity.

More about Ruwais

Our operations

We have been operating in the Middle East since the 1950s. Our activities are mainly in the Upstream sector, but important partnerships also allow us to strengthen our commitments in the Downstream sector. We currently operate in:

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Le nostre attività in Medio Oriente