Abu dhabi: ADNOC Drilling Company PJSC announced today the successful delivery and acceptance of AD-300, the first AI-enabled, fully automated walking island rig. The rig was delivered nearly three months ahead of schedule, paving the way for earlier revenue generation and expediting the rollout of the six-rig next-generation programme.
According to Emirates News Agency, standing 50 metres tall, equivalent to a 15-storey building, and weighing approximately 2,000 tonnes, AD-300 integrates advanced automation, digital systems, and hybrid power capabilities. This includes the option to connect to the grid, facilitating more efficient, lower-emission operations. Its automated walking capability allows seamless movement between well locations without dismantling, while automation systems, such as automated pipe handling and AI-enabled monitoring, help reduce personnel exposure in complex operating environments.
Abdulla Ateya Al Messabi, ADNOC Drilling CEO, noted, "The delivery of AD-300 marks a step-change in how we execute large-scale, technology-enabled energy development. By integrating automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics at scale, we are enhancing safety, improving efficiency, and delivering more consistent, predictable performance. As the first of six rigs under this programme, AD-300 demonstrates our ability to deliver complex, high-value assets ahead of schedule, accelerating revenue generation while supporting ADNOC's production capacity expansion and reinforcing the UAE's leadership in advanced energy solutions."
Deployed offshore on one of ADNOC's unique artificial islands, AD-300 is the first of six next-generation island rigs under a US$1.54 billion contract awarded by ADNOC Offshore in 2024-2025. It signifies a fundamental shift in offshore well delivery, allowing for faster and more consistent execution.
The early start of operations, along with the phased deployment of the remaining rigs, supports revenue visibility and underpins the company's continued growth in the second half of 2026 and into 2027. Tayba Abdulrahim Al Hashmi, ADNOC Offshore CEO, remarked, "At a time when the world needs reliable energy at scale, the UAE stands ready to supply global customers. AD-300 and our next-generation island rigs are accelerating our growth, expanding ADNOC's production capacity, and delivering long-term value for our stakeholders and the nation."
Integrated data systems provide real-time operational insights for performance optimisation and predictive maintenance. AD-301 is currently being deployed, with the remaining rigs scheduled for delivery through 2027, establishing one of the most advanced island rig fleets globally and reinforcing ADNOC Drilling's role as a key enabler of ADNOC's upstream growth ambitions.
