UAE to speed up oil pipeline project around Strait of Hormuz

UAE Accelerates Pipeline Construction to Meet Global Energy Demand

The United Arab Emirates has announced plans to accelerate the construction of a new pipeline, which will increase export capacity through Fujairah port city. The project aims to meet global demands for oil and gas exports.

According to Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, the West-East Pipeline project is expected to be operational by 2027. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has confirmed that the pipeline will double export capacity through Fujairah.

The UAE’s decision comes as Gulf nations seek alternative trade routes due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade on the waterway, combined with attacks on energy infrastructure and Iran’s new maritime protocol, have forced countries to find new routes for oil and gas exports.

Currently, the Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP) has a capacity of 1.5 million barrels per day. However, this pipeline has come under attack recently. The UAE is also exploring alternative options, including its departure from OPEC, which was announced last month.

The construction of the West-East Pipeline project will provide an additional energy route for Gulf nations. Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, designed to export oil via the west coast, has been less affected by the Iran war. Other countries, such as Oman and Kuwait, also rely heavily on trade shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

The UAE’s decision to accelerate pipeline construction is part of its “long-term strategic and economic vision” for the energy sector.

Source: Al Jazeera