Oil and Gas Careers in the UAE: Opportunities, Salaries and How to Break In

oil rig illustration

TL;DR

  • The UAE is a global leader in oil and gas with high job demand
  • Top roles include engineers, lab technicians, and HSE officers
  • Salaries range from AED 60K to 500K+ depending on the role
  • ADNOC, ENOC, and global firms are major recruiters
  • Expats and freshers can apply through trainee programs and job consultants
  • Challenges include offshore work, tech upskilling, and Emiratisation policies

The UAE’s oil and gas sector plays a major role in the global energy scene. Still, finding your way into oil and gas jobs UAE can be tough, with new tech, hiring shifts, and evolving energy plans changing the game. Whether you’re new, switching careers, or coming from abroad, the big question is where to start.

The upside? There’s still plenty out there. From browsing the latest oil and gas jobs in UAE to working with oil and gas job consultants in UAE, this blog will walk you through what’s out there, what you can earn, and how to get your foot in the door.

Why the UAE Stands Out in the Global Oil and Gas Industry

oil and gas industry

The UAE holds over 111 billion barrels in proven reserves, mostly in Abu Dhabi, placing it sixth globally. It produces more than 3.2 million barrels a day, ranking among the top 10 producers worldwide.

Beyond output, the UAE is pushing forward with energy innovation. ADNOC’s $150 billion investment plan through 2027 targets higher production, digital upgrades, and carbon capture. This shift is opening up new oil and gas jobs UAE, from fieldwork to tech to environmental roles.

Most In-Demand Oil and Gas Jobs in the UAE

oil refinery

The UAE’s oil and gas sector now offers a wider range of opportunities beyond traditional rig or engineering roles. With digitization, sustainability goals, and complex projects on the rise, the types of oil and gas jobs are more diverse. Here’s a look at roles currently trending in jobs for oil and gas industry professionals.

1. Petroleum Engineers and Drilling Supervisors

With ADNOC pushing deeper into offshore production, these roles have become essential. They call for hands-on expertise and sharp problem-solving, often under pressure. Because of that, they’re among the best-paid positions across the oil and gas field.

2. Lab Technician Oil and Gas Jobs in UAE

Lab roles are often overlooked but are crucial in quality control, testing, and pipeline monitoring. Many of these positions are ideal entry points for oil and gas jobs in UAE for freshers with diplomas in chemical or petroleum lab sciences.

3. HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) Officers

With strict UAE regulations on workplace safety, HSE professionals are vital. This role is especially attractive for expats with NEBOSH or IOSH certifications.

4. Project Managers & QA/QC Inspectors

As the number of mega-projects grow, so does the need for strong project oversight. PMP-certified professionals have a hiring edge here.

5. Data Analysts & Automation Engineers

With more companies using AI and predictive tech to cut downtime, demand for data-savvy talent is rising fast. A number of oil and gas companies job vacancies in UAE now center around coding, system modeling, and automation. These roles mix IT with engineering, making them ideal for professionals who can bridge both worlds.

The shift toward predictive maintenance and AI-backed operations has created a wave of oil and gas companies job vacancies in UAE focused on data skills. These hybrid roles require coding, modeling and real-time systems experience.

6. Instrument Technicians and Maintenance Specialists

These are critical for keeping oilfield systems operational, especially in remote or offshore sites. They’re commonly found across oil and gas companies in UAE jobs portals.

7. Environmental Engineers

Sustainability is no longer optional. With ADNOC and others doubling down on ESG, roles tied to environmental oversight are picking up pace. People who understand how hydrocarbons work but can also guide sustainable operations are becoming key hires.

8. Pipeline and Mechanical Engineers

As the UAE expands its energy infrastructure, the need for strong pipeline and mechanical talent holds steady. From design to repair, this role remains one of the most consistent jobs in the oil industry and new projects mean fresh opportunities year-round.

Plenty of jobs in the oil industry still go to skilled expats, especially those with backgrounds in offshore rigs, LNG, or upstream drilling. ADNOC’s team includes many foreign professionals, and oil and gas recruitment firms continue to search globally for top talent.

If you’re early in your career and searching oil and gas jobs in UAE for freshers, look into trainee programs at ADNOC, Schlumberger, or Baker Hughes. They regularly post graduate trainee openings and internships on their official careers pages and partner recruitment sites.

You can also streamline your oil and gas job search by registering with gas oil recruitment platforms like Petroplan, NES Fircroft, and Brunel, which focus on both UAE and wider oil and gas jobs Middle East.

Expected Salaries in UAE’s Oil and Gas Sector (2025)

salaries in oil and gas sector

Here’s what professionals in the oil and gas jobs UAE sector can expect to earn in 2025 (all in AED unless otherwise noted):

RoleAverage Annual Salary
Petroleum Engineer (Dubai)~ 437,000 AED + ~ 20,000 AED bonus
Petroleum Engineer(Abu Dhabi)~ 429,700 AED
Reservoir Engineer~ 333,800 AED + ~ 13,400 AED bonus
HSE Manager / QA/QC Supervisor~ 251,000 + ~ 9,000 AED bonus
Lab Technician~ 149,000 + ~ 2,500 AED bonus
Data Analyst / Automation Engineer~ 273,000  + ~ 11,000 AED bonus

Key Employers Hiring in UAE’s Oil and Gas Industry

oil and gas industry hiring

As Emiratisation accelerates, public and semi-public companies like ADNOC and ENOC are optimizing internal HR systems. Many now rely on AI platforms and HR automation tools tailored for UAE and KSA to streamline onboarding and compliance. If you’re exploring oil and gas companies in UAE jobs, a few names consistently lead the pack.

  1. ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company)
    • State-owned giant, covering everything from exploration to renewables.
    • Regularly posts oil and gas job vacancies in UAE via its careers site.
  2. ENOC (Emirates National Oil Company)
    • Dubai-based, active in refining, marketing, and retail. Part of the top 5 companies to work for in 2025, noting employee interest in growth, stability, and sustainability.
  3. Dubai Petroleum (DPE)
    • Manages five major offshore oilfields. ISO-certified and partnering with Baker Hughes and TechnipFMC.
  4. Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC)
    • Oversees gas fields and processing in Sharjah. Also investing in solar-powered operations.
  5. TAQA
    • Abu Dhabi energy holding firm with upstream and midstream interests across 11 countries.
  6. Global Service Providers
    • Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, and ExxonMobil are hiring across oil and gas companies in UAE jobs, especially in drilling, maintenance, and automation.
  7. Recruitment and Consultancy Firms
    • Firms like TASC Outsourcing and gas oil recruitment specialists (e.g., Petroplan, NES Fircroft, Brunel) actively list vacancy pipelines for expats and freshers.

Employer Spotlight: Top Oil & Gas Employers in the UAE

Discover leading companies in the UAE’s oil and gas industry. Click below to learn more about these employers and explore job opportunities!

How to Break Into the Oil and Gas Industry in the UAE

how to get hired in oil and gas sector

Many freshers and mid-career professionals apply through ADNOC’s trainee program or external recruitment consultants. However, if you’re navigating public sector channels, understanding how to apply for government jobs in the UAE can also open doors, especially in ADNOC-adjacent roles.

1. Choose Your Path & Gather Credentials

  • Technical roles typically require a BSc in engineering, chemistry, environmental science, or a relevant safety qualification such as HSE/NEBOSH for safety-related positions.
  • Graduates should look into oil and gas jobs in UAE for freshers via ADNOC’s Graduate Development Program or ENOC’s cadetships.

2. Use Official Channels & Recruitment Firms

  • Check ADNOC, ENOC, DPE career pages often.
  • Register with oil and gas job consultants in UAE and platforms like TASC, Petroplan, and NES Fircroft.

3. File a Strong Application

  • Highlight technical certifications: PMP, NEBOSH, AWS, NEIA.
  • Use professional Arabic/English CVs tailored per oil and gas job vacancy in UAE listing.

4. Network & Attend Events

  • Visit major exhibitions like Tawdheef Career Fair, which hosts multiple O&G employers.
  • Attend industry forums and tech talks, especially those hosted by ADNOC and ENOC.

5. Build Skills & Certificates

  • For lab technician oil and gas jobs in UAE, train in API & ASTM standards.
  • Upskill in data science, automation, and ESG reporting as a key to breaking into modern O&G roles.

6. Start Through Internships and Training

  • Big energy firms often run hands-on programs that give newcomers a chance to prove themselves. For those seeking oil and gas jobs for freshers, these roles offer a practical way in and can lead to full-time work.

Challenges of Working in Oil & Gas

Challenges of Working in Oil & Gas

The pay is strong, but the work isn’t always easy. Some roles demand long hours, time in remote areas, and the ability to handle high-pressure environments. Expats should also be aware of how shifting labor systems, like the end of the Kafala system in the GCC, are reshaping mobility and employer-employee relationships, especially in field-based contracts.

Market Volatility & Project Cycles

The sector moves with oil prices. When prices dip, hiring slows, budgets tighten, and projects may get delayed or paused.

Cultural & Environmental Pressures

With the UAE hosting COP28 and ADNOC’s dual focus on oil and renewables, employees face tension between global climate goals and the continued expansion of oil production.

Labor Pressure & Retention Stress

High turnover reflects the intense work environment, such as burnout, shift patterns, and long offshore rotations, which contribute significantly.

Expat Constraints

Expats must adjust to local licensure, visa policies, and are subject to Emiratisation drives, especially in state giants like ADNOC.

Upskilling Demands

Rapid technologies like automation, AI, and CCS require continuous learning. Falling behind can stall career progression, even within major firms.

Conclusion

Jobs tied to oil and gas in the UAE are picking up pace in 2025. It’s not all smooth sailing, though. Growth is happening, especially as ADNOC pours money into fresh projects, but it’s moving in waves. Openings are showing up in refining and in roles shaped by newer technologies, not just the old rigs and drills. There’s steady demand for niche skills, and for newcomers, options such as lab technician oil and gas jobs in UAE can be a practical way to get started.

FAQs

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *