Global energy giants converge in Abu Dhabi as Adipec 2026 prepares record show

Adipec 2026 opens as the industry focuses on security and AI

Some of the world's largest oil, gas and energy technology companies are gathering in Abu Dhabi as Adipec opens on November 2 for what organisers say will be its biggest edition yet. The four-day event running until November 5 at the Adnec Centre is expected to host a record 2,260 exhibiting companies, 54 national and international energy firms, more than 40 government ministers and in excess of 239,000 attendees from over 170 countries. All 16 exhibition halls have reportedly been booked; organisers built extra structures and moved the opening ceremony to accommodate demand.

Big oil names listed among exhibitors include BP, Shell, TotalEnergies, Eni, ExxonMobil, Chevron and Occidental Petroleum. Technology and industrial groups such as Siemens, IBM and Microsoft are also on the roster. Several major suppliers and oilfield services groups have confirmed product demonstrations and executive appearances: Halliburton will showcase advanced drilling, completion and AI-powered production tools and its chairman and chief executive Jeff Miller is due to address the conference. SLB plans to present AI-enabled drilling, reservoir management and digital technologies, while Emerson will demonstrate autonomous operations and software designed to improve reliability and execution.

GE Vernova is set to display advanced gas turbines, grid modernisation and carbon-management technologies. Schneider Electric will emphasise autonomous operations and AI-driven systems; research from the company ahead of Adipec reported that 76 percent of surveyed Middle East energy leaders increased investment in autonomous technologies over the past year. Industrial software firm Aveva plans to show digital twins and connected industrial intelligence, and Honeywell is expected to highlight AI-driven autonomous upstream operations.

Abu Dhabi's Enersol the energy-technology investment platform jointly owned by Adnoc Drilling and Alpha Dhabi Holding will highlight UAE-developed and manufactured technologies. The technology push at Adipec reflects a wider trend: an Adnoc and Microsoft study released ahead of the event found 89 percent of energy leaders surveyed had increased AI spending over the past year. At the same time, an Adipec survey found 81 percent of executives believe electricity demand from AI will exceed current forecasts, presenting a new challenge for system planners.

Energy security, Asia and commercial deals

The timing and scale of Adipec come against a backdrop of sustained market disruption. Governments and companies are re-evaluating supplies, infrastructure financing and trade routes following months of turmoil in global oil and gas markets; the International Energy Agency described earlier disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as the largest supply shock in oil market history. Before the conflict, nearly 90 percent of crude oil and condensate shipments via that waterway were bound for Asia, with China accounting for roughly 38 percent, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Asia is sending its largest-ever delegation to Adipec: 353 companies and six national pavilions representing China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea. Attendees from the region include state and national champions such as Sinopec, CNPC and CNOOC, battery maker CATL, Malaysia's Petronas and Japan's Inpex and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. For Asian energy buyers, the exhibition is an opportunity to discuss supply security, long-term partnerships and infrastructure investment with Gulf producers.

The opening-day programme includes an address from Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Adnoc's group chief executive. A ministerial panel on energy security is scheduled to bring together UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei and counterparts from Germany, Turkey and Egypt. Executive speakers due at the conference include BP chief executive Meg O'Neill, Siemens chief executive Roland Busch, Baker Hughes chief executive Lorenzo Simonelli and Inpex chief executive Takayuki Ueda.

Commercial activity is also expected. Organisers say last year's Adipec recorded 49,131 commercial agreements worth $53 billion; further contract announcements are anticipated during this year's event. The exhibition also follows Adnoc's plan to offer Dh60 billion in manufacturing opportunities to UAE suppliers to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce import reliance.

What to watch

Delegates and investors will be watching several themes closely: how major companies balance short-term production and exports against longer-term decarbonisation commitments; the pace and scale of AI deployment across exploration, operations and trading and its implications for electricity systems; and announcements of infrastructure financing and industrial partnerships that could reshape regional supply chains.

With a sell-out exhibition floor, a crowded programme of ministers and chief executives, and Asia's biggest-ever presence, Adipec 2026 looks set to be a focal point for industry strategy and deal-making as participants confront heightened questions over energy security and the rapid adoption of new technologies.