The United Arab Emirates has halted operations at its huge Ruwais oil refinery after a drone attack caused a fire in the industrial area where the facility is located.
The refinery, operated by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, can process about 922,000 barrels of crude oil each day and is one of the largest refineries in the world.
People familiar with the matter said the company is currently assessing the extent of damage at the plant. They requested anonymity because the details have not yet been publicly released.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi earlier confirmed that emergency services were responding to a blaze at a facility in the Ruwais Industrial Complex following a drone attack. Officials said there were no reports of injuries.
The Ruwais refinery plays a central role in the energy system of the United Arab Emirates. It is the only refinery located in Abu Dhabi Emirate and produces large volumes of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.
Most of the refined fuel from the facility is exported to global markets, although some is used to supply domestic demand in the country.
The shutdown adds to a series of attacks on energy infrastructure across the Middle East in recent days. Saudi Arabia shut down its largest refinery last week after a similar drone strike, while Qatar temporarily closed the world’s biggest liquefied natural gas export facility after another attack.
The disruptions have already affected oil production in the region. According to people with knowledge of the matter, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait have collectively reduced crude oil output by up to 6.7 million barrels per day.
Energy shipments have also been disrupted by the slowdown in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route for global oil exports.
Major companies including Saudi Aramco and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company have increased shipments through alternative routes in order to bypass the strait, which has seen very limited shipping activity.
Analysts warn that if the Ruwais refinery remains offline for an extended period, the United Arab Emirates may need to reduce crude oil production more quickly.
The Ruwais industrial area is located about 250 kilometers northwest of Abu Dhabi city along the Persian Gulf. It is a major industrial zone that hosts several energy and petrochemical facilities.
The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company has been expanding the complex as part of its strategy to grow its global business in refined fuels, chemicals, and natural gas.
The project also involves international partners. The Italian energy company Eni SpA and the Austrian oil and gas group OMV AG both hold stakes in the refinery.
OMV directed questions to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, while Eni did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Other major facilities in the Ruwais area include the petrochemical company Borouge Plc and the fertilizer producer Fertiglobe PJSC, both connected to ADNOC.
The United Arab Emirates also operates another major refinery in Dubai, while smaller refining units are located in Sharjah and Fujairah.