ZADCO, the oil exploration arm of Adnoc, is focused on building sustainable production to optimal levels, at the right pace to meet the future crude oil requirements of the Supreme Petroleum Council and shareholders.

Zadco dates back to 1977 where it was established to develop the Upper Zakum field on behalf of the partners. Over the years, Zadco has undergone different changes in terms of its scope of operations and its manpower as well. It has also managed to strike a balance between introducing the latest technology and the necessity of training its workforce to use it.
The evolution of Zadco over the last three decades was paralleled with that of Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general. The Zakum field was discovered in 1963 and has been in production since 1967. Zadco was created to develop the upper reservoirs of this giant field. Within five years of its launch, commercial production began. In 1988, Zadco embarked the operations of Umm Al Dalkh and Satah fields at the amalgamation of Udeco operations under Zadco which continued its development in the areas of operations, IT, HSE and Human Resources within the Emiratisation process.
Zadco operates Zakum field which is located around 64 km north west of Abu Dhabi. It is considered the second-largest field in the Gulf and the Fourth in the world. It covers around 1,200 sq kms of the Gulf waters. Development plans aim at increasing the production capacity to 750,000 bpd by the year 2015, UA production to 20,000 bpd by 2008 and 25,000 bpd for Satah field by 2010. Zirku Island is where Zadco oil is treated before being loaded onto tankers to the world markets. Zirku hosts oil processing, storage and export facilities with around 1,100 employees.
As for Arzanah Island, it is the site to support the production operations of Satah field. It hosts the water injection plant used to maintain the pressure of Satah field reservoirs.
Zadco was incorporated in November, 1977.
  In April 1988, the operations of Udeco’s operations were amalgamated under Zadco. A remarkable event witnessed by Zadco was on March 2006 when the American Company ExxonMobil bought 28 per cent of Adnoc shares in Upper Zakum field where shares became – Adnoc 60 per cent, Exxonmobil 28 per cent and Jodco 12 per cent.
Zadco is always investing in automation technologies. Modern IT has been made available to end-users within Zadco sites as it is the backbone of key areas of work. As a result of the more widespread use of the state-of-the-art information systems, greater productivity has been achieved in the management of various operations, technical and human resources functions.During the last three decades, Zadco has established close relations with the UAE community. It actively participates in the national, educational and social events and activities.
Over those decades Zadco has become a real part of the local community..and the fourth decade is set to be a decade of further maturity and progress in all areas, devoting its efforts and capabilities to serving Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
 Improved oil recovery will be a main target and accordingly, the introduction of the state-of-the-art technology will be available to serve and streamline operations, increase growth and control expenditure.
Since its earliest days, safety of Zadco employees and contractors as well as company assets has been of great importance for Zadco, which ensures that its HSE performance is equal to the well known oil and gas companies' world wide. Reducing of the emissions, the control of industrial waste and the introduction of zero flaring are at the top of Zadco priorities.
Zirku Island is an example for an industrial centre with its harmony with the natural environment. A great numbers of local and migrant birds, rich marine life besides mangrove plantation and greenery are main features of the site environment.
Zadco is maintaining a dynamic campaign of environmental monitoring on the islands to enable early facing of any problems and to ensure that the improvement and protection measures are effective so that Zadco islands are sustainable environments with a rich level of biodiversity and vital sites for many rare and endangered species.
Zadco believes risk assessment is not only an important input into decision-making, but it is applied to all projects. Risk-based tools are effectively used to manage risks and minimise exposure in a wide range of operations and are used routinely on all Zadco sites.
The company's aim in conducting informal and formal risk assessments is to enure that all of the hazards associated with work activities are identified and their associated risks assessed. The risk management through process is the same as what is used in informal/personal risk assessments.
The basic assumption that workers make is that Zadco facilities are a safe place to work. This assumption is that workers understand the risks that they are exposed to and that they accept this level or risk. Further working for Zadco also implies that the workers know their annual risk exposure level and the criteria of acceptability of these risks. Zadco all assumes that the company is a safe place to work and everyone returns home at the end of their work period.