BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
ADNOC Drilling has taken another step in advancing offshore energy operations with the delivery of AD-300, the company’s first AI-enabled, fully automated walking island rig, nearly three months ahead of schedule.
The rig is the first of six next-generation island rigs being deployed under a $1.54 billion drilling services contract awarded by ADNOC Offshore in 2024–2025.
Standing 50 metres tall—roughly the height of a 15-storey building—and weighing around 2,000 tonnes, AD-300 combines automation, artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and hybrid power capability, with the option to connect to the electricity grid.
Unlike conventional rigs, AD-300 can move between well locations without being dismantled. Automated pipe handling, AI-enabled monitoring, and integrated digital systems are designed to reduce personnel exposure to higher-risk activities while improving operational consistency, equipment reliability, and well delivery efficiency.
For Adel Abdulrahman Almarzooqi, Senior Vice President of Offshore Operations at ADNOC Drilling, the significance of the project extends beyond the technology itself.
“Delivering a highly complex, next-generation offshore asset nearly three months ahead of schedule was the result of rigorous planning, strong project controls, and close coordination across engineering, construction, commissioning, and operational readiness teams,” Almarzooqi told Aletihad.
According to Almarzooqi, bringing the rig online ahead of schedule allows ADNOC Offshore to access additional drilling capacity sooner.
Rather than reducing the workforce, he noted that automation is intended to improve how work is carried out offshore.
“Our objective with AD-300 is to fundamentally improve how work is performed,” he said.
Instead of focusing on headcount reduction, he explained that automation enables personnel to concentrate on higher-value operational oversight and decision-making while routine tasks are completed more efficiently and consistently. He added that the rig integrates artificial intelligence with automation and digital technologies to provide real-time operational insights.
“These capabilities support performance optimisation, equipment reliability, and predictive maintenance, helping our teams make faster, more informed decisions,” Almarzooqi said, emphasising that improved safety, reduced downtime, consistent performance, and enhanced well delivery efficiency are what matter most.
“As the rig enters service, we will continue to monitor performance and optimise power management based on operational requirements. At this early stage, we are focused on ensuring safe and reliable operations,” Almarzooqi added.
He indicated that the company has already begun deploying the AD-301, while the remaining four rigs are scheduled for phased delivery through 2027. He noted that teams will continue applying lessons learned from AD-300 as the subsequent rigs enter service.
“Our focus is on delivering sustainable improvements in well delivery performance, operational consistency, and equipment reliability, rather than optimising any single metric in isolation,” Almarzooqi explained.
The early delivery directly supports ADNOC Offshore’s production growth plans by bringing additional drilling capacity into service ahead of timeline projections.
For Almarzooqi, the project’s significance ultimately lies in delivering a fully operational, high-performing asset rather than simply meeting a construction deadline.
“AD-300 is a strong example of how operational excellence, advanced technology, and disciplined execution come together to deliver reliable performance at scale,” he said.