The moment one learns about Abu Dhabi islands, the mind will immediately envision high-end resorts such as Saadiyat or Yas.
But tactfully hidden behind the glittering Abu Dhabi capital’s skyscrapers is Das Island, an offshore oil and gas industrial complex that eclipsed the UAE’s oil and gas heritage for over five decades.
Unlike destination tourist islands, Das Island is closed off with access limited to oil and gas company staff only, and an independent city in the Arabian Gulf.
From its early history in the 1950s to its expansion in 2016, Das Island has remained one of the most important energy export terminals in the world.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything about Das Island — its history, location, work culture, climate, wildlife, industries, and even its connection to tragic aviation history.
History of Das Island and the 2016 Expansion
Das Island history began when oil was discovered in Abu Dhabi. Offshore fields like Umm Shaif and Zakum were found to have vast reserves in the 1950s.
Das Island was chosen to be the processing and export center, halfway between the fields and from foreign shipping routes.
It was once a seashore village, with raucous camps for oilmen. As the oil export grew, the island’s portion became a fully staffed industrial complex.
Offshore rigs were connected to the island by pipes, and storage tanks were furnished to pump crude into towering tankers sailing overseas.
The 2016 Expansion
As of 2016, the island had been in operation for decades but was upgraded with growing demand and innovation. Growing demand and innovation required the Das Island Expansion Project, which entails:
- New LNG storage tanks to support growing natural gas exports.
- Improved safety features, such as improved firefighting and spill-response equipment.
- More living quarters, allowing more staff personnel to reside on the island in comfortable conditions.
- Increased port facilities, to allow the reception of some of the world’s largest oil tankers. Apart from changing the physical layout of the island, this development rendered it one of the most technologically advanced offshore oil and gas terminals in the Middle East.
How Far is Das Island From Abu Dhabi?
Das Island is 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Abu Dhabi city. Being an offshore installation, it is inaccessible and valuable strategically, located close to some of the UAE’s largest offshore oil fields.
What are the Transport Options for Das Island Offshore?
As a closed industrial complex, tourists and members of the general public are not invited. Employees of oil and gas companies or their contractors who have the required permits are permitted visitors.
Means of transportation are supplied by island-operating companies:
- Air Transport: Fastest and most regular transport. Staff is transported from Das to Abu Dhabi International Airport or Al Bateen Executive Airport by small fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
- Marine Transport: Staff and goods are transported by crew boats and supply boats but less regularly and more slowly.
Does Das Island Have an Airport?
Yes — Das Island boasts a private airport, which is operated mainly by ADNOC Offshore. The airport is used solely for staff rotation, cargo, and emergency evacuee flights. No commercial flights to Das Island.
What Type of Jobs Available on Das Island?
The island is full of oil and gas operations, and so is the nature of jobs available. Some of the most plain-vanilla jobs are
- Petroleum Engineers (drilling, reservoir, production)
- LNG and oil refinery plants Process Operators
- Mechanical, Electrical, and Instrumentation Engineers
- HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) Officers
- Marine & Port Operations Staff
- Support Staff (catering, security, housekeeping, IT, and administration)
All these titles require specialist training and offshore certification.
How Does the Rotational Work Schedule on Das Island Work?
Offshore living revolves around rotational cycles, which offshore industries worldwide have adopted. Rotations of daily cycles are:
- 28 days on / 28 days off
- 14 days on / 14 days off
That is, long working hours (usually 12 hours a day) for weeks and then back home for the same number of weeks. Although boring, there is plenty of consecutive family time with members at home during off days.
What Are The Accommodations Available on Das Island?
Although there are no hotels, malls, and resorts in a city, Das Island has employee-provided housing facilities including:
- Single or common rooms with bare essentials.
- Dining halls and cafeterias, offering international food to accommodate multiracial personnel.
- Recreation centres such as gyms, football pitches, cricket pitches, and indoor game rooms.
Is There a Hotel on Das Island?
No, there are neither hotels nor public accommodation on Das Island. Whole housing is for the staff only, and facilities are maintained in condition to offer comfort for long-term stays.
What is the Climate and Lifestyle of Das Island?
Das Island shares Abu Dhabi’s desert climate but with maritime influences:
- Summer (May–September): Extremely hot, often above 45°C (113°F). High humidity makes conditions harsher.
- Winter (November–March): Pleasant, with temperatures between 18–25°C (64–77°F).
- Dust Storms: Sandstorms and winds sometimes reduce visibility and outside activities.
What can you do at the Das Island Beach?
Despite the fact that Das is an industrial town, employees are fortunate to spend part of their days indulging in beach relaxation.
Employees utilize most of their free time swimming, jogging on the beach, or unwinding after tiring working hours. Recreational use is controlled and checked for safety.
What Wildlife and Nature can you Find on Das Island?
Above all, Das Island itself is a fascinating ecological site. Despite industrial application, industries have been investing in conservation activities to preserve indigenous wildlife:
- Hawksbill Sea Turtles: Native species spawn on Das, and ADNOC has protection schemes running.
- Migratory Birds: Seabirds migrate to beach shores of islands.
- Marine Life: Dolphins, fish, and other species live in surrounding seas.
Are there any unique activities related to Oil and Gas?
Das Island employees get the chance to see the scale of operations unheard of in the past:
- Massive oil tankers arriving and leaving export terminals.
- LNG plants converting natural gas to liquid form at –162°C.
- Offshore rigs connected to the island through subsea pipelines.
They are private events but highly intriguing to energy professionals and engineers.
What is the Role of Oil and Gas Production on Das Island?
Das Island is the UAE gateway to the world’s premier energy leadership. It produces and ships millions of barrels of crude and huge quantities of LNG every year.
How does Das Island Export Crude Oil and LNG?
- Crude Oil: Refinery-stored and exported out following importation from oil fields like Umm Shaif and Zakum.
- LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas): Supplied by ADNOC LNG (formerly ADGAS), having set the UAE as a regional LNG export hub.
What Companies are involved in Oil and Gas on Das Island?
- ADNOC Offshore (formerly ADMA-OPCO and ZADCO)
- ADNOC LNG (ADGAS)
- International partners like TotalEnergies, JODCO (Japan Oil Development Company), and BP
The companies manage production, exportation, and conservation activities to keep Das Island efficient and sustainable.
What are the Essential Travel Tips for Visiting Das Island?
If you’re scheduled to work on Das Island, here are some essential tips:
- Entry is restricted: Carry your company ID and travel documents.
- Pack for weather: Summer light wear, but modest dress codes still apply.
- Prepare for life of rotation: Long hours, strict schedules, and a remote lifestyle.
- Safety first: Oil and gas locations are dangerous, so safety first.
- Have some good downtime: Sport, reading, or socializing are all good ways of keeping it in balance.
- Travelling to Das Island: If you want to travel to Das Island, then you can charter a plane either from Al Lulu Island and Soul Beach, to reach the Island.
What Happened in the 1976 Gulf Air Incident?
Das Island is also infamous for the horrific Gulf Air Flight 741 crash in 1976.
- The aircraft, heading to Das Island Airport, crashed into the water.
- All 111 passengers on board were killed.
- The accident exposed starkly the risks of flying from the coast at the time and initiated stricter aviation safety controls for oil complex flights.
The Oil and Gas Island
Das Island is no ordinary offshore terminal — it’s the beehive hub of the UAE oil and gas industry. From modest beginnings in the 1950s to breathtaking growth in 2016, the island has become an efficient, self-sufficient industrial complex.
Though not open to the public, thousands of personnel reside on the island on rotation, in specially built homes near gargantuan oil and LNG complexes.
And in the meantime, Das Island demonstrates how industrialization can coexist with conservation since conservation measures preserve threatened turtles and migratory birds as well as ginormous oil terminals.
To the UAE, Das Island is perseverance, intellect, and world leadership in energy. To its people, it is a hard but rewarding page in their book — a page of hard working days, welcoming communities, and knowing that what they make warms up economies around the world.
