Disruptive innovation for high-spec heat exchangers, chief strategy officer of Dolphin Group, talks to The Energy Year

Rukaiya A. G., chief strategy officer of Dolphin Group, talks to The Energy Year about building the largest manufacturing facility in the UAE dedicated to heat exchangers and the transformational role of AI in industrial thermal engineering. Dolphin Group is an oilfield services provider and manufacturer of industrial heat transfer equipment.

How has Dolphin Group’s business been evolving in the past few years?
At Dolphin Group, true industry leadership comes from moving ahead of market needs. In 2024, we decided to expand our manufacturing capabilities, the natural progression of a legacy built over more than three decades of specialised industrial services. Having grown up around the industry, I have seen how attention to the smallest operational details can set great companies apart from good ones.
Dolphin was founded as a maintenance and refurbishment provider, servicing some of the region’s most critical heat transfer units. Over the decades, we acquired a deep understanding of the engineering improvements that could enhance thermal performance and maintenance efficiency. We saw how small design adjustments could vastly improve operational reliability. This insight now drives our manufacturing philosophy.
Today, we are constructing a landmark, large-scale manufacturing facility within KEZAD [Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi], spanning approximately 45,000 square metres. Scheduled for completion by end-2025, it will be the largest facility dedicated to manufacturing heat exchangers in the UAE, and potentially the Middle East.
Importantly, our growth is entirely self-financed – we have no external debt or shareholder pressure – and we have the freedom to prioritise quality, client success and long-term sustainability over short-term returns. It’s a deliberate path that reinforces Dolphin Group’s position as a trusted, resilient market leader.