Seasoned Energy Executive Takes Helm at Dragon Oil

Dragon Oil’s board has named Abdulkarim Ahmed Al Maazmi as Acting Chief Executive Officer, entrusting him with steering the company’s strategic trajectory. With a career spanning more than four decades in the oil and gas sector, he succeeds Ali Rashid Al‑Jarwan—CEO since March 2017—in a leadership transition that signals continuity in the firm’s pursuit of global growth.

Al Maazmi joined Dragon Oil, a wholly owned subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Company, in May 2018 as Executive Director of Exploration & New Ventures, overseeing operations across the MENA region. Prior to that, his career included senior roles that shaped key upstream strategies, including serving as President and General Manager of BP UAE in July 2011. There he led partnerships with ADNOC and the Government of Sharjah and oversaw approximately 235,000 barrels per day of oil production.

Board members acknowledged Al Maazmi’s “high‑calibre leadership and strategic vision” as critical to guiding Dragon Oil’s established assets in Turkmenistan, Egypt and Iraq, as well as its commitment to operational excellence, safety and sustainability. The LinkedIn announcement highlights his appointment as “reflecting continued commitment to operational excellence, safety, sustainability, and expanding our global footprint in support of energy security and economic development”.

During his tenure, Al Maazmi steered major strategic projects. In Turkmenistan, he played a pivotal role in projects within the Cheleken Contract Area, consolidating Dragon Oil’s productive presence there since 2000. He also guided initiatives in Egypt’s Gulf of Suez through the GUPCO joint venture and advanced development in Iraq’s Block 9 in partnership with EGPC and KEC.

Stakeholder relations have also been a hallmark of his career. Between 2011 and 2016, Al Maazmi served on the boards of regional energy firms such as ADCO, ADMA, ADGAS, NGSCO and Bunduq Abu Dhabi, and contributed to governance at the Petroleum Institute and the Emirates National Development Program. His track record in negotiating concession renewals and delivering results in multicultural environments underlines his diplomatic and managerial prowess.

In his new leadership role, Al Maazmi inherits a portfolio that includes mature fields like those in Turkmenistan’s Caspian Sea, growth-led projects in the Gulf of Suez, and exploration ventures in Iraq. Observers anticipate his emphasis will include reinforcing localisation and succession planning—as promoted by the UAE government—while also aligning operations with global decarbonisation goals and emerging regional dynamics.

Colleagues report his approach blends technical depth with empowerment of multi‑disciplinary teams, underpinned by an accountability-focused mindset. This ethos was celebrated during a Dragon Oil town‑hall in July 2025 under the theme “One Team, One Vision”, where Al Maazmi emphasised collective effort in achieving strategic aims across Dubai headquarters and field sites.

Industry analysts view the appointment as timely. As upstream players adjust strategies amid evolving energy demand and geopolitical shifts, leadership continuity becomes a critical asset. Al Maazmi’s elevation reflects Dragon Oil’s desire to maintain momentum in long‑standing assets while exploring new areas of growth and innovative technologies.

His stewardship is also expected to further strengthen Dragon Oil’s ties with host governments. A meeting in late 2024 between Al Maazmi and Turkmenistan’s deputy prime minister reinforced state-level confidence in Dragon Oil’s capacity to deliver mutual benefits. Such relationships are vital as the company aims to balance production targets with evolving energy policies.

This leadership transition also aligns with ENOC’s broader strategy to position Dragon Oil as a national champion in upstream operations. As acting CEO, Al Maazmi is likely to champion projects that balance commercial returns with the UAE’s sustainability and security objectives, while also nurturing domestic talent through Emiratisation and professional development initiatives.

With over forty years in the industry and an extensive track record—from field production to corporate governance—Abdulkarim Al Maazmi emerges as a poised leader for Dragon Oil’s next chapter. His appointment signals a commitment to operational resilience, international collaboration and long‑term value creation in a sector grappling with transformation.