Up to $12 Billion Potential Collaboration between UAE’s ADNOC and Wanhua

FILE PHOTO: Staff are seen at the Panorama Digital Command Center at the ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE May 12, 2018. REUTERS/Satish Kumar/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Staff are seen at the Panorama Digital Command Center at the ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE May 12, 2018. REUTERS/Satish Kumar/File Photo
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Up to $12 Billion Potential Collaboration between UAE’s ADNOC and Wanhua

FILE PHOTO: Staff are seen at the Panorama Digital Command Center at the ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE May 12, 2018. REUTERS/Satish Kumar/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Staff are seen at the Panorama Digital Command Center at the ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE May 12, 2018. REUTERS/Satish Kumar/File Photo

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, ADNOC, signed on Tuesday, a Partnership Framework Agreement with Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd.,Wanhua Chemical, to explore the collaborative development of new opportunities in the downstream sector in the United Arab Emirates and China.

ADNOC and Wanhua Chemical also signed a shipping Joint Venture,JV, agreement building on the 10-year LPG supply contract signed in November 2018.

The potential total value of the collaboration between ADNOC and Wanhua is estimated to be up to $12 billion, further solidifying the strong business and investment ties between the companies, but also reflecting the strong partnership across the energy sector between the two countries.

The Agreements with Wanhua Chemical were signed by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO, and Zengtai Liao, Chairman of Wanhua Chemical Group.

Dr. Al Jaber said: "The bilateral nature of our planned joint cooperation into both the UAE and China is unique, as it will allow the combined platforms to benefit from ADNOC’s competitive feedstock availability in Abu Dhabi, as well as capture the promising growth opportunities in China."

Under the terms of the JV Contractual Agreement, ADNOC Logistics and Services, ADNOC L&S, and Wanhua Chemical will establish a LPG Shipping Joint Venture, building on the existing 10-year LPG supply contract, which was signed in Shanghai, China, in November 2018. The JV includes the operation of two VLGC vessels,Very Large Gas Carriers vessels. Both companies will optimize their respective supply programs and maximize value through the operation and management of these vessels. Through the JV, ADNOC will maximize the value of its LPG portfolio.

In an additional Partnership Framework Agreement, ADNOC and Wanhua Chemical have agreed to explore and develop JV opportunities in both the UAE and in China. The UAE JV would be focused on producing downstream derivatives, including polyurethanes value chain chemicals at ADNOC’s integrated refining petrochemicals complex in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. The China JV would focus on exploring investment opportunities for the development and production of petrochemical and derivative products in Yantai, Shandong Province, China. These JVs will yield increased feedstock supplies from ADNOC to Wanhua and further strengthen the existing long-term relationship between both companies. The opportunities will allow ADNOC and Wanhua Chemicals to combine and leverage their market leadership and expertise in technology, marketing and competitive feedstocks.



Safe-Haven Gold Breaks $2,700/Oz Level as Uncertainty Looms

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
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Safe-Haven Gold Breaks $2,700/Oz Level as Uncertainty Looms

FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold breached the $2,700-per-ounce level on Friday for the first time ever, as US election jitters and simmering Middle East tensions boosted safe-haven demand, while a looser monetary policy environment also added fuel to the rally.
Spot gold firmed 0.6% to $2,709.28 per ounce by 0430 GMT and gained 2% this week. US gold futures rose 0.6% to $2,724.50.
Gold could gather further traction given the fluidity of election developments and geopolitical uncertainties, said OCBC FX strategist Christopher Wong.
Hezbollah said it will escalate war with Israel after the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Elsewhere, with less than three weeks remaining to cast votes this US presidential election, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump are stretching for the support of every last voter.
"Gold has scoffed at a surging dollar and rallies at every chance it gets. It's just a bull market that shows no signs of exhaustion," said Tai Wong, a New York-based independent metals trader.
US economic data released overnight pointed to a strengthening economy, which boosted the US dollar. But traders still see a 90% chance of a Federal Reserve rate cut in November. The European Central Bank cut interest rates for the third time this year as the euro zone economy sags.
Lower rates increase the non-yielding bullion's appeal.
Bullion will continue to perform well over the long term, benefiting from the precarious fiscal situations of many Western nations, and the global desire for a store of value independent of other assets and institutions, said Ryan McIntyre, senior portfolio manager at Sprott Asset Management.
Delegates to the London Bullion Market Association's annual gathering
predicted
gold would rise to $2,941 over the next 12 months and silver to $45.
Spot silver rose 0.9% to $31.97 and headed for a weekly gain. Platinum added 0.6% to $997.80 and palladium increased 0.6% to $1,048.55.