Recently, the 42nd Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition was held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The theme of this exhibition is to build a global energy system together, with professional exhibition areas such as artificial intelligence, digitization, low-carbon and chemical, maritime and logistics, attracting 2260 companies from more than 170 countries and regions around the world. Energy security, supply chain resilience, artificial intelligence applications, and green transformation have become the focus of attention for all parties attending. Multiple Chinese enterprises appeared at the exhibition, and China Arab energy cooperation continues to expand to new and deeper levels.

The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition is one of the largest and most influential oil and gas energy professional expos in the world, serving as an important platform for international energy cooperation, technology exchange, and business negotiations. Sultan Jabir, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates and Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Group, stated at the opening ceremony that the disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has exposed the fragility of the global energy supply chain, and energy security depends not only on production capacity but also on the ability to safely deliver energy to the market. He called for expanding strategic reserves, improving transportation and logistics infrastructure, and leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance energy system operational efficiency and risk prediction capabilities.

At the exhibition site, the application of digital, intelligent, and low-carbon technologies in oil and gas exploration and development, production management, storage and transportation logistics, and other scenarios became the focus of display. Multiple Chinese companies showcased related technologies and engineering practices. China Petroleum's Tarim Green Development Sand Table Model presents projects such as photovoltaics, carbon capture, utilization and storage, and desert zero carbon highways; China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) showcases the construction of the Missan Intelligent Oilfield in Iraq, connecting production, drilling, and safety management information through a digital platform. Several Chinese private enterprises have also brought technology and equipment such as intelligent drilling rigs, electric fracturing, and digital twins, demonstrating a new direction for Chinese energy equipment and service enterprises to participate in international cooperation.

In recent years, Middle Eastern countries have continued to increase investment in energy infrastructure and promote industrial diversification. China's energy cooperation with Middle Eastern countries has gradually extended from oil and gas trade to fields such as engineering construction, technical services, and joint research and development. During the exhibition, Zhenhua Oil signed a technology center cooperation agreement with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to promote technology research and development and achievement transformation. Lian Mingxiang, the General Representative of Sinopec Middle East Representative Office, stated in an interview with People's Daily that the demand for Chinese energy technology, equipment, and engineering services in the Middle East continues to grow.

Local employment and talent cultivation have become important components of China Arab energy cooperation. Chinese companies such as Sinopec, CNOOC, and PetroChina have helped local youth improve their professional skills and participate in ecological protection and community building through cooperation with local universities, organizing employee and student training in China, and other means. Industry insiders said that as the the Belt and Road Initiative continues to align with the development strategies of Middle East countries, energy cooperation between China and Middle East countries is constantly extending upstream and downstream of the industrial chain, which is expected to inject impetus into enhancing the resilience of the energy supply chain and promoting the sustainable development of the regional economy.

Zeng Jixin, Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, said at the opening ceremony of the exhibition that China Arab cooperation in promoting the integration of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and energy industry has broad prospects, and will make new contributions to the high-quality joint construction of the the Belt and Road, maintaining global energy security and promoting green transformation.

This article was reprinted from the Chinese Embassy in the United Arab Emirates         Editor/Gao Xue