According to international media reports, Abu Dhabi has directed the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to fast-track the West-East Pipeline project, which is expected to double the UAE’s export capacity through Fujairah by 2027
DNA
DUBAI/TEHRAN: The United Arab Emirates has announced plans to accelerate a major oil pipeline expansion project aimed at bypassing the Strait of Hormuz and significantly increasing crude exports through the strategic port of Fujairah, amid rising tensions in the Gulf and continued uncertainty surrounding Iran-US negotiations.
According to international media reports, Abu Dhabi has directed the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to fast-track the West-East Pipeline project, which is expected to double the UAE’s export capacity through Fujairah by 2027. The project is designed to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.
The UAE already operates the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP), capable of transporting around 1.8 million barrels of crude oil per day directly to Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, bypassing the Strait entirely. However, recent regional instability and fears of disruptions to maritime traffic have prompted Abu Dhabi to expand its alternative export infrastructure.
The move comes as tensions continue to simmer between Iran, the United States, and Israel, with growing concerns over the security of global shipping lanes in the Gulf region. Reports indicate that Fujairah and Khor Fakkan ports have increasingly become the UAE’s economic lifeline as trade and energy flows through Hormuz face mounting risks.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that “contradictory messages” from the United States are complicating ongoing diplomatic efforts and peace negotiations. Araghchi criticized what he described as inconsistent signals from Washington regarding regional de-escalation and future talks.
The Iranian foreign minister also reiterated Tehran’s position on the Strait of Hormuz, warning that all vessels transiting the waterway must cooperate with Iranian naval authorities. His remarks came amid heightened maritime security concerns and reports of vessel seizures and tanker movements with tracking systems switched off to avoid possible attacks.
Energy analysts say the UAE’s decision reflects broader Gulf concerns over the vulnerability of oil exports passing through Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies traditionally transit. The accelerated pipeline expansion is expected to strengthen the UAE’s ability to maintain exports even during periods of regional conflict or maritime disruption.
Recent shipping data and Reuters reports have shown that several UAE-linked tankers have already used unconventional routes and switched off tracking systems while moving crude shipments through the Gulf amid escalating tensions.
