A.SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
EMDAD, an oil and gas sector services company in the UAE, has found significant opportunities for collaboration, integration and long-term growth after becoming part of the NMDC ecosystem, Mohammed Juma Al Bawardi, CEO of EMDAD, said in an interview with Aletihad.
Ownership of Emdad changed significantly in 2025 after NMDC Group, through its subsidiary NMDC LTS, acquired a 70% equity stake in the company. The acquisition positioned EMDAD as part of NMDC Group’s expanding oilfield services business.
“The alignment brings together complementary capabilities across marine, infrastructure, logistics, and energy services, allowing us to provide more comprehensive solutions to clients,” Al Bawardi said.
“It has also strengthened our ability to scale operations, invest in new capabilities, and support larger and more complex projects both within the UAE and internationally,” he added.
Tracing the company’s journey since its establishment in 1979, Al Bawardi said EMDAD had evolved from a local service provider into an integrated industrial and energy services company supporting the UAE’s oil, gas, petrochemical and power sectors.
“Today, our core mission is centred around delivering reliable, efficient, and localised solutions that support the UAE’s long-term industrial and energy ambitions,” he said.
The company’s operations now span upstream and downstream support services, trading, maintenance and technical operations, while continuing to invest in local capabilities and innovation, according to the CEO.
EMDAD provides a wide range of services to the oil and gas sector, especially in the UAE. These include well intervention, well construction, marine support, asset integrity services, valve testing and maintenance, waste management, shutdown and turnaround services, catalyst handling and industrial contracting. It also manufactures specialised oilfield products such as high-pressure hoses and whipstock systems in the UAE.
Al Bawardi said the company had continued to monitor the evolving geopolitical environment closely while maintaining operational continuity across its business lines.
“Like many companies operating globally, we continue to closely monitor regional and international developments while maintaining a proactive and disciplined operational approach,” he said.
According to the CEO, the UAE’s infrastructure and institutional preparedness have helped companies navigate regional disruptions more effectively.
“The UAE has demonstrated strong resilience and preparedness in navigating evolving geopolitical conditions, supported by strong infrastructure and effective coordination across sectors,” he said.
“At EMDAD, our priority remains ensuring operational continuity, protecting our workforce, and maintaining reliable support for our clients through strong supply chain management, operational flexibility, and ongoing risk mitigation measures,” Al Bawardi added.
Asked whether the company could consider a public listing in future, Al Bawardi maintained a cautious but open-ended stance.
“Our current focus remains on strengthening the business, expanding our capabilities, and continuing to deliver long-term value to our stakeholders,” he said.
“We continue to evaluate opportunities that support our strategic growth ambitions and position the company for sustainable future expansion,” he added, noting that the company remained open to exploring “various strategic pathways” as the business evolved further.
Al Bawardi also linked EMDAD’s growth strategy closely to the UAE’s “Make it in the Emirates” initiative, particularly in the areas of localisation and Emiratisation.
“EMDAD’s business model is closely aligned with the objectives of Make it in the Emirates through our strong focus on localisation, Emiratisation, and in-country value creation,” he said.
The company, he said, continued to invest in developing local talent, expanding technical capabilities within the UAE and strengthening partnerships with local suppliers and manufacturers.
“As demand grows across the energy sector, we see significant opportunities to create skilled jobs for both blue-collar and white-collar professionals while also increasing local sourcing of equipment, materials, and specialised services,” he said.
At the recent Make it in the Emirates event, EMDAD showcased its integrated energy services capabilities as well as locally developed technologies and patented downhole tools developed in Abu Dhabi.
The company highlighted its workforce development initiatives and turnkey industrial solutions designed to improve operational efficiency and sustainability across the sector.