The United Arab Emirates (UAE) halted operations at the massive Ruwais oil refinery in Abu Dhabi — one of the world’s largest — on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, as a precautionary measure following a drone strike that triggered a fire in the industrial zone where the facility is located.
A Strategic Blow to Regional Energy Infrastructure
Ruwais is Abu Dhabi’s only refinery and a cornerstone of its energy infrastructure. It processes 922,000 barrels of crude oil per day and produces most of the emirate’s gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel — much of which is exported, though some supplies the domestic market.
The incident adds to a growing wave of drone attacks targeting energy facilities across the Middle East since U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. Last week, Saudi Arabia shut down its largest refinery, and Qatar closed the world’s biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal — both also hit by drone assaults.
Wider Impact on Regional Oil Output
According to sources familiar with the matter, the collective production cuts by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, and Kuwait now total 6.7 million barrels per day of crude oil. The Ruwais shutdown could accelerate further reductions in UAE crude output if operations remain suspended for an extended period.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the state-owned operator, is assessing damage to the site, Bloomberg reported. A source familiar with the situation told Reuters the closure was precautionary and confirmed that all other operations within the wider Ruwais industrial complex continue normally.
Logistical Shifts and Long-Term Concerns
With the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed to maritime traffic, Saudi Aramco and ADNOC have increased exports via alternative routes. Meanwhile, ADNOC continues developing Ruwais as a strategic hub — expanding into refined fuels trading and building a global chemicals and natural gas business.
The Ruwais industrial city lies about 250 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi along the Persian Gulf coast. Its scale underscores how deeply regional stability affects global energy supply chains — and why this incident has drawn urgent attention from energy markets and policymakers alike.