February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

Upstream oil and gas refers to the exploration and production (E&P) segment of the petroleum industry. This phase encompasses the search for underground or underwater crude oil and natural gas deposits, the drilling of exploration wells, and the subsequent operation of wells that recover and bring crude oil or raw natural gas to the surface.

UAE Context

ADNOC dominates the upstream sector in the UAE, operating extensive onshore and offshore concessions in Abu Dhabi. The UAE holds approximately 98 billion barrels of proven crude oil reserves and significant natural gas reserves. ADNOC’s upstream operations include major onshore fields such as Bab, Bu Hasa, and Asab, as well as offshore fields including Upper Zakum, Umm Shaif, and Lower Zakum. The company has been expanding production capacity with a target of 5 million barrels per day.

Vision 2031 Relevance

The Forward Economy pillar recognises energy sector leadership as critical. ADNOC’s upstream strategy focuses on maximising value from existing reserves through enhanced oil recovery techniques, increased capacity, and operational efficiency, while simultaneously investing in lower-carbon production methods.