Drone Attack Forces Shutdown of World’s Fourth-Largest Refinery in UAE
By Momodu Favour
One of the world’s largest oil refineries has been shut down in the United Arab Emirates after a nearby drone attack triggered a fire at an industrial complex, raising fresh concerns over global energy supplies amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi confirmed that a drone strike caused a fire at Ruwais Industrial City, a major energy hub in the emirate. Following the incident, operations at the Ruwais refinery were halted as a precautionary measure.
A source familiar with the situation said the refinery was temporarily shut down to ensure safety, although officials did not immediately confirm whether the facility itself had been directly struck.
State-owned oil company Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) describes the Ruwais complex as the world’s fourth-largest single-site refinery and a key pillar of the UAE’s oil processing capacity.
Witnesses at the industrial complex reported dramatic scenes during the incident. A driver working in the area said he had been picking up workers who were ordered to evacuate when explosions were heard.
“Just as we were about to leave, we saw two more bursts of fire rising from the complex, with loud sounds like explosions,” the driver said.
The attack comes amid widening regional conflict that has increasingly targeted critical energy infrastructure across the Gulf. Iranian strikes have reportedly hit several oil and gas installations in recent days, including facilities linked to Saudi Arabia’s energy sector.
The chief executive of Saudi Aramco, Amin H. Nasser, warned that the escalating conflict could have devastating consequences for the global oil market if disruptions persist.
Speaking during a media call on the company’s 2025 earnings, Nasser stressed the urgent need to restore shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route through which roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply normally passes.
“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 said.
Energy facilities across the Gulf have increasingly become targets as Iran responds to earlier strikes by the United States and Israel that ignited the broader regional conflict. Tehran has focused on both military assets and civilian infrastructure, including airports and oil installations.
The disruption is already sending shockwaves through the global energy supply chain. Oil prices surged by about 30 per cent earlier this week amid fears of supply shortages before falling again after comments from Donald Trump suggesting the conflict could soon end.
Analysts warn that the situation is creating a ripple effect across multiple industries.
Robert Mogielnicki, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, said the Gulf’s energy sector is facing pressure from several directions simultaneously.
“Energy facilities are being targeted, export capability through the strait is hampered, and storage capacity is filling up,” he said.
The crisis has already forced major producers to suspend operations. State-owned QatarEnergy temporarily halted liquefied natural gas production and declared force majeure, citing circumstances beyond its control.
Similar warnings have also emerged from energy producers in Kuwait, raising fears of broader disruptions to global oil and gas exports if the conflict continues.
Diplomatic voices are also sounding the alarm. Majed Al-Ansari warned that attacks on energy infrastructure represent a dangerous escalation that could trigger worldwide repercussions.
Industry leaders say the situation now represents one of the most serious crises the region’s oil and gas sector has faced in decades, with potentially far-reaching implications for global markets if stability is not quickly restored.
