September 03, 2026 [Storage Terminals Magazine]- MAIRE has provided further details on the Rich Gas Development (RGD) Phase 3 project being delivered by Tecnimont, part of MAIRE’s Integrated Engineering & Construction Solutions (IE&CS) business unit.

The project was awarded by ADNOC Gas, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and involves the expansion of the Ruwais Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The contract has a total value of approximately $4.3 billion and was already included in MAIRE’s backlog for the first half of 2026.

Tecnimont’s scope covers engineering, procurement and construction activities for a fifth NGL fractionation unit at the facility. The unit will separate individual hydrocarbon components, while associated treatment and sweetening systems will remove impurities and ensure the required product quality.

The project also includes a regeneration gas treatment unit, propane refrigeration system, ancillary facilities and storage infrastructure.

Once completed, the expanded facility is expected to have a production capacity of approximately 23,000 tonnes per day (t/d), equivalent to around 8 million tonnes per year. The project is scheduled for completion in 2030.

Expanding NGL recovery

NGLs comprise hydrocarbons including ethane, propane, butane, isobutane and pentane, which are separated from raw natural gas during processing. The products have a wide range of applications across the energy and manufacturing sectors.

Ethane is primarily used as a petrochemical feedstock, while propane is widely used as a heating and industrial fuel. Other NGL components are used in applications including gasoline blending and the production of petrochemicals and plastics.

The Ruwais expansion forms the third phase of ADNOC’s Rich Gas Development programme, which is focused on increasing the recovery of higher-value liquids from rich natural gas for export.

The project is expected to further expand the UAE’s NGL processing capacity and support the development of additional volumes of higher-value hydrocarbon products for international markets.