ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United Arab Emirates on Friday announced the development of a strategic multi-billion-dollar pipeline designed to significantly expand Abu Dhabi’s oil export capacity via the eastern Emirate of Fujairah, allowing it to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
According to a statement from Abu Dhabi’s media office, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of its Executive Council, was briefed by senior executives at the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) “on the latest developments of the new ‘West-East 1’ pipeline project, which is expected to double ADNOC’s export capacity” via Fujairah, located along the Gulf of Oman.
“The project is currently under implementation and is scheduled to become operational in 2027,” the statement added, noting that the crown prince also “directed that completion of this world-class project be accelerated,” as ADNOC advances a new phase aimed at supporting global energy supply needs.
The announcement marks the first public unveiling of specific details about the West-East 1 Pipeline. While the UAE has operated a west-to-east route - widely known as the Habshan–Fujairah pipeline - since 2012, the new corridor is designed to enable ADNOC to double its current export capacity through the Port of Fujairah, which stands at around 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd).
Importantly, the announcement comes at a critical time, as the region continues to grapple with the implications of continued disruptions to exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
The US and Israel launched a wide scale aerial campaign against Iran on February 28, striking thousands of targets across the country over six weeks of hostilities before the warring sides agreed to a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire on April 8. The truce halted fighting for two weeks and paved the way for negotiations.
While the first round of talks concluded without a final agreement on April 11, a second round has yet to take place, with a comprehensive resolution to the conflict still pending.
In parallel with the diplomatic efforts, Iran and the US have engaged in tit-for-tat maritime measures. Tehran has tightened its grip on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington initiated a maritime blockade on Iranian ports on April 13.
According to reports from the International Energy Agency (IEA), approximately 100 percent of the UAE’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports - totaling nearly 7 billion cubic meters annually - have not been able to reach global markets.
In contrast, Abu Dhabi has mitigated the impact on its crude oil sector by utilizing the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline.
Despite this, the UAE’s production prior to the war stood at roughly 3.5 million barrels per day; however, approximately 40 to 45 percent of its oil exports remained constrained or had to be rerouted due to the pipeline’s capacity limitations.