The Adnoc Sour Gas joint venture, a partnership between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and Occidental Petroleum (Oxy), has suspended operations at the Shah sour gas field in the UAE following a drone strike and fire at the facility. The Abu Dhabi Media Office confirmed the incident, stating that authorities responded to the fire and that operations are halted pending a situation assessment. No injuries were reported at the site.

Facility Details and Location

The affected Shah gas plant is situated in the Liwa area, approximately 180 kilometres southwest of Abu Dhabi. Its function is to receive and process fluids from the nearby Shah Arab sour gas field. The joint venture ownership structure consists of a 60% stake held by Adnoc and a 40% stake held by Oxy.

Context of Recent Attacks

This incident is part of a series of recent attacks on the UAE's oil and gas infrastructure. Other facilities impacted by drone attacks from Iran include the Fujairah port export facility and Adnoc's Ruwais refinery complexes. In a related development, Adnoc also suspended crude oil loading at Fujairah port on Monday after a drone strike caused a fire there.

Strategic Importance of Fujairah

The Fujairah port has been strategically used by Adnoc to export crude oil while avoiding the Strait of Hormuz. This vital shipping channel has experienced disruptions and attacks on several vessels by Iran amid the ongoing Middle East war, making alternative routes like Fujairah critical for energy exports.