Drone attack shuts major UAE refinery

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By Favour Ulebor & agency report

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One of the world’s largest oil refineries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been shut down as a precaution after a drone attack near the facility, raising fresh concerns about global oil supply.

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A source familiar with the development said the Ruwais refinery halted operations following an incident at Ruwais Industrial City in Abu Dhabi.

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“The Ruwais refinery has halted operations out of precaution,” the source said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

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Earlier, authorities confirmed that a drone attack caused a fire in Ruwais Industrial City, though it was not immediately clear if the refinery itself was directly hit.

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State-owned oil company Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) describes the Ruwais facility as the world’s fourth-largest single-site refinery.

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The incident comes amid growing tensions in the Middle East war, which has already disrupted energy infrastructure across the region.

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The President and Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Aramco, Amin H. Nasser, warned that the conflict could have serious consequences for global oil markets.

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“The disruption has caused a severe chain reaction in not only shipping and insurance, but there’s also a drastic domino effect on aviation, agriculture, automotive and other industries,” Nasser said during a media call to announce the company’s 2025 earnings.

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“There would be catastrophic consequences for the world’s oil markets the longer the disruption goes on and the more drastic the consequences for the global economy,” he added.

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Nasser also called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that normally carries about 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply but has been disrupted by the conflict.

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“It’s absolutely critical that shipping resumes in the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

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The conflict has already affected energy facilities across the Gulf, with attacks reported on installations in several countries.

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A driver working at the Ruwais industrial complex said workers were ordered to evacuate shortly after the incident.

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“Just as we were about to leave, we saw two more bursts of fire rising from the complex, with loud sounds like explosions,” he said.

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Energy analysts say the growing attacks on oil infrastructure could have wider economic consequences.

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“The Gulf energy sector is getting whacked from multiple angles,” said Robert Mogielnicki, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute.

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“Energy facilities being targeted, export capability through the strait is hampered, and storage capacity is filling up,” he added.

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Meanwhile, Qatar’s foreign ministry warned that continued attacks on energy facilities could set a dangerous precedent.

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