UAE Accelerates New Oil Pipeline to Bypass the Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran Conflict

The United Arab Emirates has decided to accelerate the construction of a major new oil pipeline that will bypass the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, following export disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Official reports released on Friday indicate that the planned West‑East Pipeline will significantly expand the export capacity of the state‑owned oil company, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, through Fujairah Port and is expected to become operational next year.

The announcement came from the Abu Dhabi Media Office, which said that Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan instructed ADNOC to fast‑track delivery of the strategic project.

Currently, the UAE operates a 360‑kilometre pipeline that links the Habshan oil fields to Fujairah, with an estimated capacity of about 1.8 million barrels of oil per day, according to information published by the Port of Fujairah.

The new project is expected to double ADNOC’s export capacity through Fujairah, further strengthening the country’s oil transportation network outside the Strait of Hormuz—a vital global shipping route that is frequently affected by regional tensions.

The UAE, which withdrew from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries earlier this month, has also announced plans to increase its oil production capacity to five million barrels per day by next year.

Oil infrastructure in Fujairah has faced repeated attacks since the escalation of the Middle East conflict. In one of the latest incidents on May 4, three Indian nationals were reportedly injured following an attack on oil facilities in the area.