Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for Distribution (Adnoc Distribution) has announced plans to build  at least 13 new service stations this year including, for the first time, at sites in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Three new service stations are being planned for strategic locations across Dubai, nine new stations will open across the emirates and at least one site will open in Saudi Arabia, under a franchise agreement, reported state news agency Wam.

In the first quarter alone, four new stations and three major extensions will open in Abu Dhabi and Ajman including prime sites on strategically positioned highways like the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Road, which links Dubai with Abu Dhabi city.

In addition, major extensions will be completed at three existing stations in Abu Dhabi this year, stated the report citing a senior official.

"Improving service, choice and convenience for our customers is our top priority for 2018, as we transform Adnoc Distribution into a more commercially minded and performance-driven company," remarked acting CEO Saeed Mubarak Al Rashdi.

"This year we will deliver new stations quicker and at a lower cost while enhancing our customers’ experience and maintaining our 100 percent focus on health and safety," stated Al Rashdi.

"Aside from 13 new stations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, customers in Abu Dhabi will benefit from three major station extensions which, in some cases, are on the same size and scale as entirely new stations," he added.

Capital expenditure (Capex), on a per site basis has been reduced in 2018 and Capex on some future stations has been cut by as much as 40 percent, through a rigorous approach to value engineering while maintaining our focus on health and safety.

Adnoc Distribution’s deputy CEO, John Carey, said: "Our station plans for 2018 are good for customers and shareholders. Our customers will gain greater choice and convenience, including in Dubai for the first time."

"For shareholders, we are on track with commitments we made about station openings and CAPEX in the lead up to Adnoc Distribution’s successful IPO last month," he added.