Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is likely to begin transporting some of its crude oil through a new pipeline to the Port of Fujairah as early as 2027, enabling exports without oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Bloomberg reported on October 28, 2026, that ADNOC had informed several Asian refiners that it could begin delivering some crude oil from the offshore Upper Zakum field to contracted customers through the Fujairah terminal in the first months of 2027.

The information came from sources familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the details are confidential. ADNOC also declined to comment on the revised timetable.

Fujairah Oil Export Capacity to Double

The new West-East Pipeline is being built to reduce the UAE’s reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports.

According to ADNOC, the project will double the company’s oil export capacity through the Port of Fujairah, located on the Gulf of Oman coast outside the Strait of Hormuz.

ADNOC currently uses the Habshan–Fujairah pipeline to transport Murban crude from Abu Dhabi’s onshore fields. The pipeline has a capacity of up to 1.8 million barrels per day.

Once the new route becomes operational, some oil produced from offshore fields will also be exportable through Fujairah, without tankers carrying the cargoes having to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Pipeline Construction Accelerated Amid Regional Disruptions

On May 15, 2026, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, ordered work on the project to be accelerated.

Sultan Al Jaber, ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, said on May 20 that construction of the pipeline was about 50 per cent complete and that the company was working to bring the project into operation in 2027.

The project has gained greater significance as regional conflicts and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have created challenges for oil exports from countries in the region.

However, the exact start date, initial oil transport capacity and volume of cargoes to be exported through the new route have yet to be officially announced.