Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
What does activity code 7110.78 authorise in Dubai
Activity code 7110.78 authorises consultancy and engineering services related to drilling operations, stock management within production environments, and production engineering support. It sits within ISIC Division 71 — Architectural and Engineering Activities; Technical Testing and Analysis — as classified by the UAE's ISIC framework and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) activity directory.
The licence applies across oil & gas, petrochemical, water well drilling, and industrial manufacturing sectors. It is a professional services and consultancy activity, meaning it covers technical advisory, design, and engineering management rather than the physical execution of drilling operations on-site.
What types of services are permitted under the Drilling, Stock & Production Engineering Services licence
Holders of this licence are authorised to provide a range of technical and advisory services, including:
- Engineering design and technical advisory for drilling programmes
- Production optimisation studies and stock or inventory engineering
- Well integrity assessments, production flow analysis, and field development planning
- Subcontracting oversight and project management for upstream engineering scopes
The licence does not cover the physical execution of drilling work on-site. Firms requiring hands-on contracting activities would need a separate or supplementary contracting licence.
Who is the Drilling, Stock & Production Engineering Services licence best suited for
This licence is designed for a specific but commercially active group of professionals. Petroleum engineers, drilling consultants, and production technologists working independently or building a boutique firm will find it the most direct route to formal commercial status in Dubai.
International EPC companies establishing a UAE presence to service GCC upstream projects frequently use this activity code as their primary or supplementary licence. Engineering firms diversifying from adjacent sectors — civil, mechanical, or process engineering — also use it to formalise their oilfield services offering. Freelance technical specialists benefit from the corporate entity structure it provides, enabling direct contracting with national oil companies (NOCs) and international oil companies (IOCs).
Can a foreign national own 100% of a company holding this licence in Dubai
Yes. 100% foreign ownership is available for this licence type in both free zones and mainland Dubai. The mainland ownership reform, introduced post-2021, removed the previous requirement for a local Emirati partner for most professional and commercial activities, including engineering consultancy activities like 7110.78.
Free zones such as Meydan Free Zone have always permitted full foreign ownership and continue to be a popular choice for international consultancies due to their streamlined incorporation process and flexible structures.
What is the difference between setting up in a free zone versus mainland Dubai for this licence
Free zone incorporation (e.g., Meydan Free Zone) offers 100% foreign ownership, faster setup timelines of approximately 5–10 working days, and no statutory audit requirement for smaller consultancies. It is well-suited to firms primarily serving international or regional clients rather than UAE federal government entities.
Mainland Dubai, regulated by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is the preferred choice for firms that need to contract directly with UAE federal government entities or local authorities. The setup timeline is longer, typically 2–4 weeks, but the jurisdiction offers broader access to government and semi-government procurement opportunities.
How long does it take to set up a Drilling, Stock & Production Engineering Services company in Dubai
Setup timelines vary by jurisdiction. A free zone licence can typically be established within 5–10 working days, making it the faster route for consultancies that want to begin operations quickly. Mainland Dubai incorporation through the DET generally takes 2–4 weeks, accounting for additional regulatory steps and approvals.
The overall timeline can be influenced by factors such as trade name availability, document preparation, and the complexity of the business structure chosen.
Which clients and markets can a Dubai-licensed engineering consultancy under 7110.78 target
A Dubai-based entity holding this licence is well-positioned to engage with a broad range of clients across the region. Key target markets include oil & gas operators, industrial manufacturers, and EPC contractors operating in the GCC and wider Middle East.
Dubai's role as a regional hub means that a single licence here can support engagement with major operators such as ADNOC, ENOC, and Dubai Petroleum concession holders, without necessarily requiring a separate legal entity in each country where work is performed. This makes it a commercially efficient structure for firms targeting multiple GCC markets.
What is the first step in the licence setup process for this activity
The first step is to choose your jurisdiction — either a free zone or mainland Dubai. This decision should be based primarily on your intended client base and contracting requirements. Free zones are generally preferred for international-facing consultancies, while mainland registration suits those targeting UAE government or local authority contracts.
Once the jurisdiction is selected, the next step is to reserve a trade name that is aligned with your engineering activity. Names should be specific enough to reflect the professional nature of the business and must comply with the naming conventions of the chosen jurisdiction's regulatory authority.
Drilling, Stock & Production Engineering Services License in Dubai
Dubai's energy and industrial engineering sector continues to attract serious operators — and activity code 7110.78 is the formal entry point for firms offering drilling, stock, and production engineering services in the UAE. This guide covers what the licence covers, who it suits, how to set it up, and what the commercial landscape looks like for engineering consultancies targeting the UAE's upstream and industrial markets.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Activity Code | 7110.78 |
| Activity Name | Drilling, Stock & Production Engineering Services |
| ISIC Category | Technical Testing and Analysis / Engineering Activities |
| Licence Type | Professional / Commercial |
| Jurisdiction | Mainland Dubai or Free Zone (e.g. Meydan Free Zone) |
| Target Markets | Oil & gas operators, industrial manufacturers, EPC contractors |
| Setup Timeline | 5–10 working days (free zone); 2–4 weeks (mainland) |
| Ownership Structure | 100% foreign ownership available in free zones and mainland (post-2021 reforms) |
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Calculate NowWhat This Licence Covers
Activity 7110.78 sits within ISIC Division 71 — Architectural and Engineering Activities; Technical Testing and Analysis. Under the UAE's ISIC classification framework and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) activity directory, this code specifically authorises consultancy and engineering services related to drilling operations, stock management within production environments, and production engineering support.
The licence applies across oil & gas, petrochemical, water well drilling, and industrial manufacturing sectors. It is important to understand the distinction from contracting licences: 7110.78 is a professional services and consultancy activity. It does not authorise physical drilling execution on-site — it covers the technical advisory, design, and engineering management layer that underpins those operations.
Scope of Permitted Services
- Engineering design and technical advisory for drilling programmes
- Production optimisation studies and stock or inventory engineering
- Well integrity assessments, production flow analysis, and field development planning
- Subcontracting oversight and project management for upstream engineering scopes
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Explore Over 2,500+Who Should Hold This Licence
This licence is suited to a specific but commercially active group of operators. Petroleum engineers, drilling consultants, and production technologists working independently or building a boutique firm will find this the most direct route to formal commercial status in Dubai.
International EPC companies establishing a UAE presence to service GCC upstream projects frequently use this activity code as their primary or supplementary licence. Engineering firms diversifying from adjacent sectors — civil, mechanical, or process engineering — also use it to formalise their oilfield services offering.
For freelance technical specialists, this licence provides the corporate entity structure needed to contract directly with national oil companies (NOCs) and international oil companies (IOCs) operating across the region. Dubai's position as a regional hub means that a licence here enables engagement with ADNOC, ENOC, and Dubai Petroleum concession holders — without requiring a separate entity in each operating country.
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The setup process follows a clear path regardless of whether you choose a free zone or mainland jurisdiction. The decision between the two depends primarily on your client base and contracting requirements.
Step 1 — Choose your jurisdiction. Meydan Free Zone offers 100% foreign ownership, fast incorporation, and no statutory audit requirement for small consultancies. Mainland Dubai, regulated by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), suits firms that need to contract directly with UAE federal government entities or local authorities.
Step 2 — Reserve your trade name. Choose a name aligned with your engineering activity. Avoid overly generic terms that may conflict with regulated professional categories or existing registered entities.
Step 3 — Submit your application. File activity code 7110.78 alongside supporting documents. The free zone path typically delivers a licence within 5–7 working days. The mainland path may require professional qualification attestation depending on the scope of activity declared.
Step 4 — Post-licence registration. If you intend to bid for ADNOC or federal government contracts, register on the relevant vendor portals and consider engagement with professional bodies that validate engineering credentials in the UAE.
Step 5 — Visa allocation. Depending on your office space tier and jurisdiction, you can typically sponsor between 1 and 6 visas under the initial licence.
Documents Required
- Passport copy of all shareholders and managers
- Proof of professional qualifications (engineering degree, relevant certifications)
- Business plan or activity description (required by certain free zones)
- No Objection Certificate if currently on a UAE residence visa sponsored by another entity
Commercial Opportunity and Market Context
The commercial rationale for this licence is straightforward. ADNOC's Strategy 2030 targets UAE oil production capacity of 5 million barrels per day by 2027. That scale of upstream investment generates sustained, long-cycle demand for engineering services at every stage of the project lifecycle — from well design through to production optimisation and brownfield intervention.
Dubai functions as the regional headquarters base for oilfield services firms covering GCC operations, Iraq, North Africa, and East Africa. Incorporating here gives engineering consultancies a credible, well-regulated base from which to manage multi-country project pipelines. The UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure continues to publish frameworks that support private sector participation in the energy services supply chain.
A free zone licence under this activity also allows invoicing international clients in foreign currency — a practical advantage for firms with project revenues in USD, EUR, or GBP. As mature fields across the region require more technical intervention to sustain output, demand for production engineering expertise is growing, not contracting.
Conclusion
Activity code 7110.78 is a well-defined professional licence that positions engineering firms and independent consultants to operate formally within Dubai's energy and industrial services market. The setup process is straightforward, 100% foreign ownership is fully available, and the commercial pipeline — driven by sustained regional upstream investment — is substantial. Whether you are a solo drilling consultant or an established EPC firm opening a regional office, this licence gives you the legal framework to engage the market directly.
If you are ready to incorporate or want to compare free zone versus mainland options for your engineering consultancy, use the cost calculator or speak directly with the setup team.
