The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has further expanded its international natural gas footprint by increasing its equity interest in the large-scale Rio Grande LNG export project in Texas. The company’s investment arm, XRG, acquired an additional 7.6 % stake in the second phase of the project, building on its earlier purchase in Phase 1.
When complete, the Rio Grande LNG facility aims to reach an export capacity of 60 million tonnes per year, making it one of the world’s largest LNG production hubs. Phase 1 construction is already underway with production forecast by 2027, while Phase 2 is expected to be finalized by 2031.
ADNOC’s growing position in the project aligns with its strategic goal of boosting its LNG portfolio to 20-25 million tonnes by 2035. This investment underscores the company’s commitment to supporting global gas markets and strengthening UAE-U.S. energy cooperation.
Industry observers note that the move comes amid evolving market dynamics for LNG, where diversified supply sources are increasingly valued by importing nations. ADNOC’s participation is both a financial investment and a signal of confidence in long-term global gas demand. The expanded stake also reflects broader trends of Middle Eastern energy players deepening engagements in North American natural gas infrastructure an encouraging indicator for cross-border energy collaboration.