The proposed infrastructure would follow the route of an existing 252-mile line connecting Habshan to the Gulf of Oman, which has operated since 2012 with a capacity of 1.5 million barrels per day. The UAE is already working on the West-East Pipeline, slated for 2027, which is designed to double export capacity through Fujairah. By shifting loading operations outside the Persian Gulf, these projects offer tankers a direct path to Asian markets.
UAE Explores Third Pipeline to Bypass Strait of Hormuz
Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. is weighing plans for a third crude pipeline to move oil from the UAE’s western coast to the port of Fujairah. By bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, the project aims to insulate energy exports from geopolitical tensions and reduce Iran’s influence over the critical maritime chokepoint.
ADNOC officials disputed the report, characterizing the potential expansion as speculative. Despite the official denial, the move aligns with a broader regional trend. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are also pursuing similar infrastructure projects to diversify export routes. These investments collectively threaten to diminish Tehran’s ability to leverage the narrow waterway as a diplomatic or military tool, a strategy that has gained traction across energy-producing states allied with the United States.
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