The United Arab Emirates is moving to fast-track its West–East Pipeline project, designed to significantly enhance its crude export capacity through Fujairah and reduce reliance on the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz.
The pipeline, already under construction, is now being expedited following directives from Abu Dhabi’s leadership after a meeting between the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the executive committee of ADNOC’s board. The goal is to bring the project into operation by 2027.
The expansion is expected to double ADNOC’s export capacity via Fujairah, strengthening the UAE’s ability to maintain stable oil shipments amid regional uncertainty.
Currently, the UAE has a production capacity of around 4.5 million barrels per day. However, constraints at the Strait of Hormuz have limited export flexibility, with the existing Fujairah pipeline able to handle only about 1.9 million barrels per day at maximum capacity, according to news reports.
This leaves an estimated 2.6 million barrels per day of output facing export bottlenecks. In addition, the current pipeline system is limited to crude oil transport, with refined products such as gasoline and diesel still lacking alternative export routes.
Once completed, the new pipeline is expected to significantly ease these constraints, potentially increasing total export capacity through Fujairah to nearly 4 million barrels per day.
The push comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the US and Iran, prompting the UAE to strengthen its energy infrastructure and secure alternative export pathways.
