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KT edit: New gas find bodes well for UAE's energy security

The latest find also enhances the country's energy security as the UAE grows economically and in stature.

While diversifying its sources of energy, the UAE has also been busy exploring and discovering natural gas that will make it self-reliant to power its next phase of growth in the coming decades. The new field that holds 80 trillion cubic feet of gas near Dubai's border with Abu Dhabi in Jebel Ali boosts the country's energy ambitions. The UAE can now plan for the fourth industrial revolution without worrying much on where to draw power from. Dubai's reliance on foreign sources for gas will be greatly reduced with this find and the emirate is set to gain control over its energy sources that will give a fillip to its confidence as a trade, commerce, logistic, and aviation hub.
The latest find also enhances the country's energy security as the UAE grows economically and in stature. Millions continue to flock to its shores in search of work and a better life. The economy is expanding and the country is keen to find the right mix that makes it an energy superpower. What's interesting about the latest find in Jebel Ali is that this is a joint Dubai-Abu Dhabi venture. Leaders see the larger picture and joint exploration efforts are on in full swing. Only last week, Sharjah discovered a gas field with flow rates of 50 million standard cubic feet per day. The search for natural energy resources are gaining traction even as the country is moving ahead with nuclear and renewable energy. The latest find is of Shallow Gas, a natural gas which is accumulated at a very shallow depth from the earth's surface. Adnoc and the Dubai Supply Authority have inked an agreement to jointly explore and extract the resource. Minister of State and Adnoc Group chief executive Dr Sultan Al Jaber says the country's gas reserves are still untapped and more finds can be expected in the coming months. Most of the country's oil reserves are in Abu Dhabi and Adnoc has the ability and expertise to expand its horizons. These are still early days in the search for natural gas and the UAE could soon be exporting the reserve once its needs are fulfilled.