Drone attack shuts major UAE refinery

By Favour Ulebor & agency report

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

“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.

“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.

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.

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

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

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

“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.

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

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

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

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

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