Equinor and Shell Unveil Joint Venture Name: Adura

Oil giants Equinor and Shell have announced the official name of their joint venture in the UK as Adura. The name is derived from the A of Aberdeen, the base of operations for the joint venture, combined with ‘dura’ symbolizing durability. According to the companies, Adura is a firm and enduring entity, much like the strong granite that Aberdeen is known for.

The formation of Adura comes after the unveiling of the joint venture in December 2024, where the UK subsidiaries of Equinor and Shell merged their offshore oil and gas assets to create the largest independent producer in the UK North Sea upon approval.

Adura will encompass Equinor’s interests in Mariner, Rosebank, and Buzzard, along with Shell’s interests in Shearwater, Penguins, Gannet, and several other assets. The joint venture will also include various exploration licenses, making it a significant player in the UK oil and gas sector.

While Equinor will retain ownership of cross-border assets, offshore wind projects, and other assets, Shell UK will keep ownership of certain facilities and projects. The new company is projected to produce over 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025 and employ approximately 1,300 individuals in oil and gas roles in the UK.

Efforts are underway to secure regulatory approvals, with the official launch of Adura expected by the end of the year. Simon Roddy, SVP of Shell UK Upstream, expressed confidence in the joint venture’s potential, stating that the combined assets and expertise will unlock long-term value and establish Adura as the UK’s largest independent producer.