UAE Accelerates Pipeline Project to Bypass Strait of Hormuz for Oil Exports

United Arab Emirates has announced plans to significantly expand its oil export capacity by reducing dependence on the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz.

According to officials, the UAE aims to double its ability to export crude oil without passing through the Strait of Hormuz by next year, as part of efforts to secure energy supplies amid rising regional tensions and potential disruptions to maritime trade routes.

In a statement issued by the Abu Dhabi Media Office, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) said it is accelerating work on a new pipeline project that will directly connect oil facilities to the port of Fujairah Port on the Gulf of Oman.

Officials said the completion of the project would double the UAE’s current export capacity that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. The government plans to make the strategic link fully operational by 2027.

The UAE already operates a pipeline with a capacity of 1.5 million barrels per day from its oil fields to the eastern coast at Fujairah. During recent regional conflicts, the pipeline reportedly served as a “lifeline,” allowing uninterrupted oil exports despite tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

With the new expansion, the UAE is expected to strengthen its position in global energy markets and reduce vulnerability to geopolitical risks in the Gulf region.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime oil routes, handling a major share of global crude shipments. However, ongoing tensions involving Iran have increased concerns about possible disruptions, prompting Gulf countries to seek alternative export routes.