Event News

Enersol, the energy technology investment platform jointly owned by ADNOC Drilling and Alpha Dhabi Holding, will showcase its substantial impact on domestic manufacturing and technology deployment at ADIPEC 2026.

Enersol, the energy technology investment platform jointly owned by ADNOC Drilling and Alpha Dhabi Holding, will showcase its substantial impact on domestic manufacturing and technology deployment at ADIPEC 2026.

Taking place from 2 to 5 November at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, the event will serve as a vital platform for demonstrating the region's broader industrial evolution.

Enersol will be accompanied by four of its active portfolio companies—EV, Gordon Technologies, NTS Amega Global, and Deep Well Services—all of which currently operate within the United Arab Emirates. Together, their presence will illustrate an important industry narrative: the UAE is successfully connecting international technological expertise with robust local industrial capabilities, serving not only the domestic energy sector but also a growing roster of overseas customers.

Accelerating operational efficiency through advanced technology

The deployment of advanced data analytics and specialised engineering is proving essential in overcoming modern field challenges. In August 2026, Deep Well Services successfully completed an intensive 11-well unconventional programme in Abu Dhabi, demonstrating the profound impact of combining intelligent software platforms with physical engineering operations:

• The entire programme was completed in just 44 days, measured against an initially planned schedule of 77 days.

• Operations finished 43 per cent ahead of the planned schedule, resulting in a crucial saving of 33 operational days.

• The project successfully utilised the company's patented Hydraulic Completion Unit technology alongside the highly sophisticated BoreSite® data acquisition and analytics platform.

• This collaborative approach brought advanced completion capabilities and real-time operational insight directly to the UAE market.

Furthermore, the drive to expand local supply chains is actively fostering strategic industry alliances. NTS Amega Global, which has provided precision manufacturing and specialist tool repair within the UAE since 2008, recently announced a pivotal joint collaboration. Revealed at the Make it in the Emirates 2026 forum, their partnership with Silverwell Energy aims to establish a dedicated UAE hub for the manufacture, assembly, and testing of all-electric intelligent completion systems. This significantly broadens the range of locally supported energy technologies.

Strategic investments and industry collaboration

Dean Watson, CEO of Enersol, clearly articulated the strategic vision behind these recent operational developments and the value of targeted industry investments:

“The real opportunity is to combine specialist engineering, digital capability and investment to solve operating challenges at scale. For Enersol, that means bringing advanced technologies into the field while building industrial capability in the UAE that can support local operations and compete internationally.”

Emphasising the importance of global industry gatherings as a catalyst for future growth, Watson added:

“ADIPEC brings operators, technology companies and investors together. It gives us an important platform to demonstrate how local manufacturing, technology deployment and portfolio collaboration can strengthen in-country value and deliver measurable operational improvements.”

Expanding from local hubs to global exports

The impact of the UAE’s energy sector extends far beyond domestic field operations, with locally manufactured technologies increasingly entering highly competitive international markets. In 2025, Gordon Technologies commenced exporting its MudLink measurement-while-drilling systems, which transmit real-time wellbore data, to SOCAR in Azerbaijan. The first international shipment occurred less than a year after Gordon established its manufacturing base, firmly positioning Abu Dhabi as the company’s primary operational hub for the Eastern Hemisphere.

Innovation is also thriving through cross-portfolio collaboration. EV and Deep Well Services have jointly introduced Video While Fishing, a highly specialised service combining downhole cameras with hydraulic intervention technology to help operators accurately locate and recover equipment trapped inside wells.

Separately, EV has drastically strengthened its wellbore intelligence capabilities by acquiring Scientific Data Systems (SDS), the Houston-based firm behind the industry-recognised Warrior Data Acquisition System. This strategic acquisition directly supports the broader goal to scale high-value EnergyTech businesses and catalyse sector-wide innovation.

Attendees at ADIPEC 2026 can engage with these portfolio companies directly in Hall 9, Stand 9210, where showcased technologies will officially feature EV’s PigCAM pipeline inspection system and NTS Amega Global’s AmegaSHIELD downhole drilling protection tool.

Expo Centre Sharjah is gearing up to host SteelFab 2027, convening global manufacturers, investors, technology providers, and industrial decision-makers to access burgeoning opportunities across the UAE, GCC, and wider Middle East and North Africa.

Expo Centre Sharjah is gearing up to host SteelFab 2027, convening global manufacturers, investors, technology providers, and industrial decision-makers to access burgeoning opportunities across the UAE, GCC, and wider Middle East and North Africa.

The upcoming edition reinforces the event's evolution from a conventional trade exhibition into a strategic industrial platform facilitating cross-border investment, commercial partnerships, and advanced technology adoption.

The metalworking and steel fabrication sectors across the Middle East are experiencing rapid modernisation, catalysed by heavy regional infrastructure, energy projects, and targeted national industrial strategies. SteelFab 2027 acts as a bridge uniting international industrial capability with high-potential regional markets.

Building on the commercial momentum of SteelFab 2026

The trajectory of the 2027 show builds upon the commercial outcomes and scale recorded during its 2026 edition. The previous event served as a major conduit for cross-border industrial trade, yielding commercial agreements, supply-chain tie-ups, and distribution network expansions through structured business-to-business meetings.

Key operational metrics and participant demographics from the previous edition include:

• Exhibition scale: Welcomed 350 exhibitors and more than 600 leading domestic and international brands spanning 25,000 square metres of space.

• Global footprint: Drew international participation from 35 nations, including major industrial markets such as the UK, Germany, China, Turkey, India, the UAE, Taiwan, Thailand, and Egypt.

• Export breadth: Hosted participating global manufacturing enterprises that export to more than 70 countries worldwide.

His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, said: “SteelFab 2027 will build on the exhibition’s strong international momentum and further strengthen its role as a gateway connecting global industrial expertise with opportunities across the UAE and the wider region. By bringing manufacturers, investors, technology leaders and buyers together in Sharjah, the exhibition creates a highly effective environment for partnerships, knowledge exchange and sustainable commercial growth.”

“SteelFab contributes directly to Sharjah’s economic development by attracting international businesses, supporting industrial activity and strengthening the Emirate’s position as a destination for business tourism and specialised exhibitions. Its impact also supports the UAE’s industrial ambitions by encouraging high-value investment, accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and connecting local and regional manufacturers with international markets and supply chains.”

Digital transformation and advanced industrial technologies

SteelFab 2027 will leverage the digital ecosystem introduced during the 2026 edition, which made history as the first trade show in the UAE and region to integrate AI-driven exhibition platforms. At the centre of this operational model is AetherEx, a proprietary digital twin platform designed to prolong market exposure for exhibitors beyond physical show dates. The system incorporates interactive virtual pavilions alongside real-time analytical dashboards that track buyer behaviour and gauge visitor sentiment.

Concurrently, the showcase maintains comprehensive coverage of heavy machinery, smart fabrication, and metalworking processes. Building on previous product displays, the event showcases next-generation solutions engineered to streamline industrial efficiency, such as:

• Next-generation steel production machinery, cost-efficient laser-cutting tools, and AI-driven manufacturing robotics for intricate fabrications.

• Heavy-duty CNC machines designed specifically for demanding oil, gas, and aerospace applications.

• Precision press brakes, metal-forming equipment, advanced laser-marking tools, and cutting-edge welding systems.

• Powder-coating setups spanning manual booths to automated systems, industrial curing ovens, pre-treatment tunnels, and specialised plant machinery for air-conditioning and electrical cabinet production.

SteelFab 2027 underpins Sharjah’s position as a pivotal trade hub and manufacturing gateway for the regional industrial economy by uniting digital twin technology with shop-floor machinery.

UAE Pavilion is set to make a significant impact at the upcoming Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) Jordan 2026.

As the global security landscape evolves, nations are increasingly prioritising advanced technologies and international collaboration to ensure stability.

At the forefront of this strategic shift is the United Arab Emirates, which has rapidly developed a robust, future-focused defence manufacturing sector. Reflecting this ongoing commitment to technological advancement, the UAE Pavilion is set to make a significant impact at the upcoming Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) Jordan 2026.

Taking place from the 27th to the 29th of October 2026 at the Aqaba International Exhibition & Convention Centre (AIECC) in Jordan, this major industry event serves as a premier national platform for the Emirates. The Pavilion will showcase the UAE's advanced defence and security ecosystem, simultaneously strengthening engagement with international partners, investors, and stakeholders from across the globe.

Driving innovation in global defence networks

Supported by the UAE Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement, and organised by ADNEC Group—a Modon company—the UAE Pavilion underscores a comprehensive national strategy. This strategy is dedicated to advancing defence innovation, fostering international collaboration, and supporting the continued growth of national defence and security sectors.

SOFEX Jordan itself is a highly anticipated biennial event, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II and supported by the Jordanian Armed Forces. It consistently brings together an impressive array of military delegations, senior government officials, dedicated defence specialists, cutting-edge manufacturers, and prominent industry representatives.

Setting the stage for this expansive exhibition will be the 12th Biennial Middle East Special Operations Commanders Conference (MESOC), taking place on the 26th of October. The broader focus of both the conference and the subsequent exhibition will centre on several key pillars:

• Special operations tactics and strategies

• Homeland security and domestic defence

• Tactical innovation on the modern battlefield

• Unmanned systems and autonomous technologies

• The cultivation of global defence partnerships

Showcasing a diverse and capable ecosystem

The depth and diversity of the UAE's defence capabilities will be on full display through the prominent entities featured within the Pavilion. The participation of these organisations highlights the UAE's growing role in supporting regional stability and international security objectives. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders, including:

• EDGE Group, a leading advanced technology group

• Multi Level Group (MLG), a key player in the national security framework

• NICOMATIC, contributing specialised engineering and technological components

• Houbara, adding unique capabilities to the comprehensive defence portfolio

• Nation Shield and Al Jundi Journal, prominent defence media publications providing critical industry insights

By bringing these diverse entities together, the Pavilion will provide an unparalleled platform for strengthening strategic partnerships. It is designed to facilitate meaningful business engagement and promote vital knowledge exchange with defence industry stakeholders from the Middle East and beyond.

Investing in future-focused technologies

A central theme of the UAE Pavilion's presence at SOFEX Jordan 2026 will be the illustration of the nation's continued investment in defence innovation. By focusing on advanced manufacturing and future-focused technologies, the UAE is working to ensure its military infrastructure remains highly adaptive. Visitors traversing the Pavilion will gain unique insights into the latest developments shaping the future of the global defence sector. The interactive environment will actively encourage visitors to explore numerous opportunities for collaboration, ensuring that the UAE remains a trusted international partner and a leading contributor to the worldwide advancement of defence and security innovation.

Paving the way for future exhibitions

Beyond the immediate networking and technological showcases at SOFEX Jordan, the UAE Pavilion’s active participation also serves a broader strategic marketing purpose. It will actively support the promotion of the 2027 editions of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX), the International Defence Conference (IDC), and the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX).

Through prominent participation in leading international defence exhibitions, ADNEC Group actively supports widespread efforts to strengthen industry engagement. These events facilitate essential knowledge exchange and provide a necessary forum for global defence leaders and specialists to connect. By exploring the latest technologies and identifying new avenues for partnership and cooperation, the UAE continues to solidify its pivotal role in the global security dialogue.

According to new research by IDC, nearly half of the region's organisations are either already transitioning away from SF₆ or planning to do so within the next two years.

The Middle East is on the cusp of a significant shift in its medium-voltage infrastructure.

According to new research by IDC, nearly half of the region's organisations are either already transitioning away from SF₆ or planning to do so within the next two years.

WETEX serves as a crucial platform for discussing the future of utility infrastructure, and this year, the spotlight is firmly on the move towards SF₆-free technologies. The newly published IDC White Paper, titled "SF₆-Free MV Switchgear: Industry Readiness, Decision Drivers, and the Way Forward", surveyed 700 medium-voltage infrastructure decision-makers globally.

Readiness and regulatory expectations

The survey, spanning electric utilities, data centres, electro-intensive industries, and physical infrastructure sectors, paints a clear picture of a region anticipating swift regulatory changes.

In the Middle East, the findings reveal a strong appetite for modernisation:

• 14% of organisations have already commenced their transition to SF₆-free equipment.

• 32% anticipate beginning this transition within two years.

• Nearly all remaining respondents expect to make the change within five years.

• 99% consider it likely that SF₆ regulations will be introduced in their countries within the next half-decade.

Despite this forward-looking approach, there are hurdles to overcome. Decision-makers in the Middle East pointed to several barriers:

• Technical readiness (58%)

• Supply chain availability (47%)

• Product availability (46%)

• Cost (42%)

Interestingly, the perception of cost is heavily influenced by how lifecycle expenses are calculated. At present, only 29% evaluate the full lifecycle cost of their equipment, which includes the complex end-of-life handling of SF₆. However, across the entire global sample, 92% rate the management of SF₆ at the end of its lifecycle as a major or moderate cost. Factoring these long-term expenses into initial procurement decisions substantially narrows the perceived cost gap between traditional and SF₆-free alternatives.

The pivotal role of national utilities

Utilities are undeniably setting the pace. Globally, 73% of survey participants stated that guidance from utilities or grid operators directly influences their own procurement strategies. Furthermore, IDC identifies national utilities within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as being among the markets expected to transition most rapidly once clear guidance is established.

Electric utilities are leading across every readiness metric measured in the study. Currently, 79% express a willingness to adopt SF₆-free equipment, and 62% are proactively piloting new technologies ahead of formal regulations.

The IDC study was sponsored by Schneider Electric. Emphasising the importance of these trends:

“Utilities across the Gulf are making decisions today about how their grids will run for decades to come,” said Amel Chadli, Gulf Cluster and Countries President at Schneider Electric. “This research tells us the region is ready to move, and that it is looking to its utilities to set the direction. WETEX brings those decision-makers together in one place, which is why we chose to share these findings here, alongside the technology that makes the transition practical.”

Practical solutions across the asset lifecycle

At WETEX, the practical application of this transition is being showcased comprehensively. Demonstrations follow the complete lifecycle of energy and water assets, moving seamlessly from the initial design phase through to building, operation, and maintenance.

Organisations can deploy proven SF₆-free medium-voltage ranges that utilise pure air and vacuum interruption, enhanced with digital monitoring. Modern switchgear solutions, including RM AirSeT, GM AirSeT, and MCSET with EvoPact, are proving their viability, with over 150,000 similar functions active worldwide.

Alongside switchgear, the transition to smarter grids is supported by an array of digital technologies:

• ETAP’s electrical digital twins tailored for grid design.

• The One Digital Grid Platform and EcoStruxure Power Automation System for real-time grid operation.

• EcoCare, EcoFit, and EcoConsult services for the maintenance and modernisation of installed assets.

For water operators facing similar modernisation challenges, new digital twin tools allow for the comprehensive planning of networks before any capital is committed. Smart pumping stations, built on Altivar Process drives and EcoStruxure Automation Expert, alongside the AVEVA Digital Water Platform, offer in-depth smart water network analytics. This enables the operation of an entire water system from a single, unified digital environment. With technology now running in over 40,000 water and environment installations across more than 150 countries, and partnerships with ten of the world’s largest electric grid operators, the pathway to sustainable, efficient infrastructure is clearer than ever.