ADNOC Drilling has delivered AD-300, the first AI-enabled, fully automated walking island rig, nearly three months ahead of schedule. The 2,000-tonne rig, standing 50 meters tall, is now deployed offshore on one of ADNOC's artificial islands, unlocking earlier revenue and accelerating a six-rig, $1.54 billion next-generation programme.
Abdulla Ateya Al Messabi, ADNOC Drilling CEO, said: "The delivery of AD-300 marks a step-change in how we execute large-scale, technology-enabled energy development. By integrating automation, artificial intelligence and robotics at scale, we are enhancing safety, improving efficiency and delivering more consistent, predictable performance."
The rig combines hybrid power capability with an option to connect to the grid, cutting emissions compared to conventional setups. Its automated walking system lets it shift between well locations without dismantling, while automated pipe handling and AI-enabled monitoring reduce how many crew members need to be in high-risk zones.
How the automation systems work
Integrated data systems feed real-time operational insights to shore-based teams, enabling performance optimisation and predictive maintenance. The rig's digital backbone connects automated pipe handling, AI-enabled monitoring, and hybrid power management into a single control environment. This setup means fewer manual interventions during routine drilling sequences and faster anomaly detection when conditions change.
For operations teams, the shift is practical. Instead of relying on periodic manual inspections, the system continuously scans equipment health and flags deviations before they become downtime events. The walking mechanism itself removes the multi-day process of rig dismantling and reassembly between wells, compressing what was once a major logistical operation into a controlled, automated move.
Fleet rollout and revenue visibility
AD-300 is the first of six rigs under a contract awarded by ADNOC Offshore in 2024-2025. AD-301 is already being deployed, with the remaining four rigs scheduled for delivery through 2027. The early start of operations on AD-300, combined with the phased arrival of sister rigs, supports revenue visibility and underpins the company's growth in the second half of 2026 and into 2027.
Tayba Abdulrahim Al Hashmi, ADNOC Offshore CEO, said: "At a time when the world needs reliable energy at scale, the UAE stands ready to supply global customers. AD-300 and our next-generation island rigs are accelerating our growth, expanding ADNOC's production capacity and delivering long-term value for our stakeholders and the nation."
The programme creates one of the most advanced island rig fleets globally. Each unit follows the same automation-first design, which means operational consistency across the fleet and a shared data environment for benchmarking performance across wells.
Why this matters for operations professionals
This deployment signals a shift in how offshore well delivery is staffed, scheduled, and monitored. For operations leaders, the key variable is predictability. Automated rigs generate fewer unplanned stoppages because monitoring is continuous, not interval-based. The hybrid power setup also introduces flexibility in energy sourcing - operations teams can switch between onboard generation and grid power based on availability and cost, rather than being locked into a single fuel strategy.
Early delivery of a complex asset like AD-300 also demonstrates that integrated automation and AI for Operations workflows can compress project timelines, not extend them. When AI-enabled monitoring and AI Agents & Automation are embedded from the design phase, commissioning and acceptance move faster because fewer systems need to be tuned manually after installation. The result is earlier revenue generation and a shorter path from capital expenditure to productive output.
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