Adnoc Drilling, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), a global diversified energy and petrochemicals group, recently celebrated the graduation of 110 Emiratis from the company’s Drilling Training Center.

The ceremony was held the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi.

During their training, the graduates acquired advanced knowledge, skills and practical experience in drilling methods and techniques. This will enable them to take up positions in Adnoc in a variety of roles essential for efficient and safe onshore and offshore well-drilling operations.

Abdulmunim Saif Al Kindy, executive director of Adnoc’s Upstream Directorate and chairman of Adnoc Drilling’s Board of Directors, said: “Adnoc is committed to developing a world-class workforce across the entire value chain and to providing skilled opportunities for Emiratis, in line with the directives of the UAE’s Leadership, to fulfil their potential and to contribute to the development, success and economic growth of their country.

“With every group of new Emirati graduates, we add highly trained individuals to our talent pool, equipped with advanced industry technical expertise, the latest knowledge of processes, and HSE best practices. The high-quality training the graduates have received will enable them to play an important role in Adnoc’s continued long-term success by ensuring efficient, profitable and safe drilling operations."

The trainees join more than 1,000 Emiratis who have graduated from the Drilling Training Center in the last three years and who have taken up jobs at Adnoc’s onshore and offshore rigs, as well as other operational locations, in technical and semi-technical positions across all departments.

Abdalla Saeed Al Suwaidi, CEO of Adnoc Drilling, said: "The success of Adnoc Drilling is driven by our people. We aim to be the best in our field and, for this reason, we allocate significant resources to training, enabling the company to play a key role in supporting Adnoc’s strategic objective to deliver a more profitable upstream business and achieve gas self-sufficiency, as we create greater value from our offshore and onshore resources.

“As Adnoc ramps up crude oil capacity to 4 million barrels per day by the end of 2020 and then 5 million barrels per day by 2030, it is critical we have a highly trained workforce who can conduct drilling operations efficiently, while reducing well-drilling times and costs and maintaining the highest levels of HSE and asset integrity.

“For this reason, we are insistent upon sourcing the world’s best training equipment and methods. Investing in our workforce and developing young Emirati talent to enable them to excel professionally benefits Adnoc Drilling and the entire Adnoc Group, as well as the society at large,” Al Suwaidi added.

Established in 2014, the Drilling Training Center is equipped with advanced simulation technology, which replicates drilling, well-control and various other situations for the trainee using virtual-reality screens. The simulator familiarizes trainees with the drilling and well-control operations of a rig, and gradually introduces them to the work environment of the drilling locations in a safe and controlled manner.

Adnoc Drilling is the largest drilling company in the Middle East, with a fleet of 91 onshore and offshore rigs. It is the sole provider of drilling rigs and associated services to Adnoc Group companies and possesses decades of market experience and detailed knowledge of the UAE’s subsurface, enabling reduced risk in drilling activities. – TradeArabia News Service