UAE state energy companies ADNOC and XRG have signed a strategic collaboration agreement with Japanese trading and investment conglomerate Mitsui & Co. to explore new opportunities across LNG, crude oil, sulfur, shipping, chemicals and international energy investments, as reported by Gulf News.

The agreement was signed during a visit to Japan by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, ADNOC managing director and group CEO, and XRG executive chairman, where he held meetings to deepen energy and investment ties between the two countries.

The collaboration framework covers crude oil market development and long-term supply, LNG sales and optimisation, sulfur procurement and logistics, and shipping solutions for LNG, ammonia, sulfur and other commodities. The agreement also gives XRG a wider role in evaluating international energy investments with Mitsui, including opportunities linked to lower-carbon growth.

ADNOC and Mitsui will additionally explore potential cooperation in lower-carbon fuels and chemicals, including methanol and other projects at TA'ZIZ, ADNOC's industrial chemicals and derivatives park in Abu Dhabi.

Nasser Al Muhairi, acting CEO of ADNOC Downstream Industry, Marketing & Trading, and chairman of Ruwais LNG, said: "This agreement broadens our collaboration across the energy value chain, from LNG, crude oil and sulfur to shipping and chemicals, and, through XRG, opens new opportunities for international investment and lower-carbon growth. By combining our complementary strengths, we aim to enhance supply resilience, deliver greater value to our customers and unlock sustainable, long-term growth across Asia."

Kenichiro Yamaguchi, senior executive managing officer at Mitsui & Co., said: "This Strategic Collaboration Agreement reaffirms Mitsui & Co.'s steadfast commitment to the UAE. We are confident that it will pave the way for an even stronger partnership with ADNOC and XRG across the energy and chemicals value chain. Mitsui & Co. respects the long and successful relationship with ADNOC since the 1970s, and we sincerely appreciate this opportunity to formalise a broad-based and multifaceted framework for future collaboration."

Japan has been one of ADNOC's most significant strategic markets for decades, with the Mitsui relationship dating to the 1970s. The new agreement follows ADNOC's broader push to expand its LNG, trading and international investment platform, with XRG playing a central role in building opportunities outside the UAE.

The deal was signed on the same day ADNOC confirmed a separate 15-year LNG supply agreement with a Japanese buyer for its Ruwais LNG project, with the broader project reported as more than 90% booked.