When the United Arab Emirates became the first Gulf country to establish a strategic partnership with China in 2012, China National Petroleum Corp, or CNPC, and Abu Dhabi National Oil Co, also known as ADNOC, have continuously expanded their cooperation, jointly building a more comprehensive energy cooperation framework.

In 2013, with the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative, China and the UAE found a high degree of alignment in energy interconnection and market integration. That year, CNPC and ADNOC signed the Al Yasat project agreement, making the Chinese company a partner of strategic energy assets in Abu Dhabi.

In 2017, the two sides inked another cooperation deal for the onshore oil concession, with CNPC appointed as the asset leader for the North-East Bab fields, significantly enhancing their strategic collaboration.

Following the elevation of China-UAE bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2018, CNPC and ADNOC signed agreements that year to cooperate on the Umm Shaif& Nasr and Lower Zakum offshore fields. This established a cooperation framework in the UAE spanning both onshore and offshore operations and integrating the entire exploration and development industry chain.

In May 2024, the governments of China and the UAE issued a joint statement which includes strengthened cooperation in renewable energy, oil, and natural gas. Two months later, CNPC and ADNOC signed a strategic cooperation agreement covering the entire oil and gas industry chain, including exploration, research, technology exchange, engineering services, refining and petrochemicals, market sales, international gas project cooperation, and new energy collaboration, thereby deepening their strategic alignment.

Adhering to the principle of mutual benefit, CNPC leverages its complementary strengths with ADNOC to continuously advance practical cooperation in upstream exploration and development, engineering construction, technical services, oil and gas trade, and scientific research.

In onshore oilfield development, CNPC utilizes its technological advantages in low-permeability carbonate reservoirs to help boost production and reduce costs in the North-East Bab fields.

In technological innovation, the two companies have sustained collaboration in cutting-edge areas such as reservoir simulation, drilling acceleration, and smart oilfields. Among them, the "Broadband, Wide-Azimuth, High-Density" seismic exploration technology provides technical support for ADNOC's efforts in increasing production of mature oil fields and developing new resources.

In engineering construction, the ongoing BAB-Buhasa AiP5 off-plot project, LNG Transmission Pipeline Project, and Project Swing are helping ADNOC substantially increase capacity and operational efficiency, while promoting local project execution capabilities through the introduction of international engineering management models.

In oilfield services, CNPC has contributed to reducing ADNOC's development costs through its high-quality and efficient drilling services.

In the equipment sector, hybrid drilling rigs manufactured by CNPC reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and improve drilling efficiency through intelligent remote monitoring and dispatching. In oil and gas trade, CNPC participates in the trade of crude oil, natural gas, refined oil and chemicals, and is the sole Chinese shareholder in the Abu Dhabi Futures Exchange.

In talent development, ADNOC representatives visit China to gain insights into CNPC's technical and management expertise, while CNPC senior managers engage with ADNOC's core business units, facilitating business cooperation. At the same time, CNPC supports the UAE's Emiratization policy by promoting the recruitment and cultivation of local talent.

In social responsibility, CNPC promotes the Hundred Schools Project of Chinese language education in the UAE, continuously fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Meanwhile, project teams explore green development pathways in energy exploration and development. In 2024, PetroChina joined the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter launched at COP28 hosted by the UAE.

Looking ahead, CNPC will continue to uphold open cooperation and innovation-driven development, and work together with ADNOC to build a greener, more inclusive, and sustainable multidimensional China-UAE energy cooperation framework.