Adnoc Distribution opens first Dubai station

Adnoc Distribution opened its first service station in Dubai as the UAE’s largest fuel and convenience retailer expands its footprint in the country and beyond.

The station, located in Dubai Investments Park, is solar-powered and will include a charger for electric vehicles, the company said yesterday.

“At the time of our IPO in December 2017, we committed to expand our service station footprint into Saudi Arabia and Dubai before the end of 2018,” said Adnoc Distribution acting chief executive Saeed Al Rashdi. “As promised, these initiatives have been delivered, with further network growth to come in 2019.”

Adnoc Distribution, which last December floated 10 per cent of its shares in an initial public offering on the Abu Dhabi stock exchange, has a large presence in the fuel retail markets in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. The company is the first unit of parent Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to go public.

The company said earlier this month it would open two service stations in Saudi Arabia, the first foray outside its home market.

Adnoc Distribution is seeking acquisitions to expand with a $200 million (Dh734.6m) capital expenditure programme, Adnoc deputy chief executive John Carey told The National last month.

The company has sufficient cash flow to focus on acquisitions both in the UAE and internationally, Mr Carey said at the time. Adnoc Distribution is hunting for acquisitions abroad, both in its fuel retail as well as lubricants business, according to Mr Carey.