BP has been a long term partner with Adnoc, developing a strong reputation.
Indeed, the oil major started its relationship with Abu Dhabi in the 1930s, with the first concessions signed in 1939 and 1954.
''When many countries were nationalising their oil industries, Abu Dhabi adopted a different approach and retained the involvement of industry partners,'' said a company official.
''Now we are sharing the benefits of that stability and commitment,'' he added.
BP has a shareholding in three Adnoc concessions - Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (Adco), the onshore operating company in which BP has a 9.5 per cent stake and works with Adnoc, Shell, ExxonMobil, TotalFinaElf and Partex; Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (Adma), in which BP holds a 14.67 per cent stake with Adnoc, TotalFinaElf and Japan's Jodco; and Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company Ltd (Adgas), the LNG producer in which BP holds 10 per cent and partners with Adnoc, TotalFinaElf and Mitsui.
''Our role is to create long term value by assisting Adnoc to manage its vast resources with the best technology and expertise available and helping to develop its own people into management positions,'' the official explained.
BP seconds staff into technical, commercial and operational positions in the three operating companies. But although BP's support to Adnoc remains technically-based, in more recent times the focus has broadened to include other issues surrounding the industry.
''A great example of this is in the area of Performance Management,'' said the official.
''This is something in which BP has developed a leading edge. Adnoc was looking at the performance management techniques of all of its shareholders, so we took a team from Abu Dhabi to London to show and share our experience in action.
''It is in some of these other areas, like our focus on safety management, for example, that BP is able to offer support in quite a distinctive way,'' he said.
''We are not just offering technology and experience, but the progressive business management skills to make the technology work.
And BP continues to successfully meet the needs of Adnoc and its operating companies, said the official.
''Whether our people in the Operating Companies are drilling extended reach wells, running complex offshore 3D seismic acquisition, influencing environmental standards, supporting safety leadership or training Adnoc engineers in a UK business unit, we are striving to meet Adnoc's needs and aspirations.''
Developing for Adnoc, delivering the right people, the right expertise and the best processes is vital for BP in its relationship with Abu Dhabi, although the company sees the links and investment going deeper.
The Supreme Petroleum Council (SPC), for instance, has a target of employing nationals in 50 per cent of bobs in all the operating companies by 2004.
''Coaching and developing national staff is a key part of our role, but we are also pleased to be investing in the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Institute,'' said the official.
''This is building on the future for Adnoc and the shareholders. It is a specialist educational institute for the petroleum industry to equip national students with the core skills and knowledge to drive the industry for the next 70 years of Abu Dhabi's history,'' he added.
Healthy signs of growth are apparent everywhere, according to BP. Both Adco and Adma are to invest heavily on increased output while Adgas is developing an LPG plant to export the gas resulting from Adma's increased output, thus avoiding any flaring.
''We are committed to Abu Dhabi and to Adnoc. We are proud of what has been achieved and look forward to sharing our knowledge and growing further together.
