The United Arab Emirates has announced plans to accelerate construction of a new oil pipeline through Fujairah as the country seeks to strengthen its energy export capacity amid mounting regional tensions and disruptions to global oil flows.
According to the Abu Dhabi media office, the decision came as Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan chaired a meeting of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s (ADNOC) executive committee to discuss updates on the pipeline, which will transport oil from Abu Dhabi to the Gulf of Oman, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
The meeting was attended by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO; Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director and Group CEO of Mubadala Investment Company; and Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Finance.
During the meeting, Sheikh Khaled was updated on the new West-East Pipeline project, which will double ADNOC’s export capacity through Fujairah. Sheikh Khaled directed ADNOC to accelerate delivery of the project, as the company moves forward into a new phase of world-scale project execution to meet global energy demand.
The project comes at a time of heightened instability across the Middle East, where repeated attacks on energy infrastructure and shipping routes have disrupted oil markets and increased concerns over the security of global energy supplies.
The UAE’s decision to speed up the construction reflects growing urgency among Gulf producers to secure alternative export routes as pressure mounts on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The acceleration of the project also follows a period of sustained pressure on the UAE’s energy sector. According to officials, repeated attacks on infrastructure and shipping activity have curtailed the country’s ability to fully restore normal oil output and export operations. The disruptions have contributed to broader uncertainty in global energy markets already strained by geopolitical tensions and supply concerns.
The Emirates announced earlier this month it would depart the producer group OPEC
Sheikh Khaled commended ADNOC for its resilience in maintaining safe operations, while continuing to reliably supply energy to local and international customers
Sheikh Khaled reviewed ADNOC’s performance and noted its strong progress in delivering key growth projects. He affirmed that ADNOC is well-positioned as a responsible and reliable global energy producer, with the operational flexibility to responsibly increase production to meet market needs when export constraints allow.
The Executive Committee noted the progress made in developing the TA’ZIZ Phase 1 chemicals ecosystem in Al Ruwais Industrial City, Al Dhafra Region, highlighting its key role in creating new domestic value chains.
Sheikh Khaled welcomed the long-term offtake and feedstock agreements that TA’ZIZ announced at Make it in the Emirates 2026 and the company’s partnership with Alpha Dhabi on a feasibility study to produce up to 14 industrial chemicals in the UAE, which are widely used across construction, automotive, packaging and consumer goods, among other key sectors.
The TA’ZIZ chemicals ecosystem is set to produce 4.7 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of industrial chemicals by the end of 2028 and will be one of the largest integrated chemical platforms in the Gulf region.
Sheikh Kahled reiterated the important role of ADNOC’s In-Country Value (ICV) programme in driving growth and value creation opportunities for local businesses and manufacturers, and directed the company to prioritise Made in the Emirates products across its projects and operations.
Pipeline Scheduled To Operate In 2027
The pipeline is currently under construction and is expected to become operational in 2027.
The project will double the UAE’s export capacity via Fujairah to meet global energy demand.
By accelerating the Fujairah pipeline project, the UAE appears to be emphasizing greater independence and flexibility in managing its oil exports. The decision to strengthen alternative infrastructure reflects both economic and strategic considerations as Gulf producers adapt to a rapidly changing security environment.
The pipeline initiative is also closely tied to Fujairah’s growing role as a major regional energy hub. Located outside the Strait of Hormuz, the emirate has become increasingly important for oil storage, refining, and shipping activities. Expanding infrastructure there could further enhance the UAE’s ability to maintain exports during periods of regional instability.
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