Clifford Chance, one of the world's pre-eminent law firms, is advising Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) on its pioneering development of a CO2 capture, usage and storage project in Abu Dhabi, a statement said.

This will be the first CO2 capture project in the UAE, and one of the first commercial-scale integrated CO2 capture and storage projects in the world.  

The project will capture CO2 from the Emirates Steel manufacturing facility in Mussafah, Abu Dhabi, for processing and transportation to the Rumaitha oil field, operated by the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (Asco), for use in enhanced oil recovery. The project is being undertaken by Masdar in joint venture with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc).

Sandy John Hall, head of the firm's Middle East Construction practice, said: "We are delighted to have been able to work with Masdar on this cutting-edge project from the early stages of its development.  The project is innovative and demonstrates both Masdar and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi's commitment to pursuing clean technologies and new commercial strategies to achieve sustainable economic development.  We hope that this project will be the first of many CO2 capture projects in the UAE."

Clifford Chance continues to be recognised for its market-leading work in the Middle East with the Firm recently being named Middle East Law Firm of the Year by Chambers Global 2013 and IFLR Middle East International Law Firm of the Year 2012, the statement said. - TradeArabia News Service