Wood confirms ADNOC Refining’s capability to produce lower-carbon aviation fuel

Consulting and engineering firm Wood announced Feb. 10 that it has confirmed Abu Dhabi National Oil Co.’s capability to produce lower-carbon aviation fuel (LCAF), paving the way for its future alignment with International Civil Aviation Organization’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, once that certification process is formalized.

Through a comprehensive lifecycle assessment, Wood’s carbon-advisory team analyzed the greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions associated with ADNOC Refining’s jet-fuel production.

Leveraging its propriety software, Wood reviewed more than 25,000 unique data points, validating the potential of Ruwais Refinery to meet stringent international certification standards, including the anticipated requirements of ICAO CORSIA and ISO 14067.

“Classifying aviation fuel as lower carbon is a highly complex process,” said Azad Hessamodini, Wood’s executive president of consulting.

“Our carbon specialists streamline this process, enabling clients to bring their products to market more swiftly and achieve their sustainability and growth objectives,” Hessamodini said. “Given aviation is one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonize, accelerating the production, certification and consumption of alternative fuels is essential. Lower-carbon aviation fuel can cut emissions by approximately 10 percent, providing a short-term solution in the face of ever-increasing aviation activity and efforts to enhance the economic viability of longer-term solutions.”

Sultan Al Bigishi, the CEO of ADNOC Refining, added, “As global aviation demand grows, advancing the production of lower-carbon aviation fuel is critical to reducing emissions while ensuring the industry’s sustainable future. Confirmation of our capability to produce LCAF underscores our commitment to developing lower-carbon solutions that support the decarbonization of aviation and accommodate the sustainable growth in air travel.”

This validation follows a year of continued growth for Wood in the Middle East, with the company recently celebrating $920 million worth of contracts in the region in 2024.

Coinciding with the Sustainable Aviation Futures MENA Congress, Wood said this announcement underscores the momentum behind the development of more sustainable fuels and the Middle East’s investment in advancing decarbonization pathways.