Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (Adnoc) is exploring plans for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility located in Fujairah. This proposed facility, with an estimated capacity of 4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), is designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping chokepoint that has seen increased geopolitical tensions. The company has already initiated a design competition to select preferred contractors for the project, signaling a serious commitment to this strategic development upstreamonline.com.
This move by Adnoc is part of a broader trend among Gulf exporters to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for energy shipments. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is also accelerating the construction of an oil pipeline to Fujairah, aiming to double its crude oil export capacity bypassing the strait by 2027. This existing 1.5 million barrels-a-day conduit has proven vital during recent Middle East conflicts bloomberg.com.
The decision to build a new LNG facility comes as Adnoc has reportedly resorted to tactics like having its LNG tankers 'go dark'—disabling their tracking systems—to transport shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. This practice, observed in May 2026 for at least two tankers from Adnoc’s Das Island facility, highlights the perceived risks and the urgent need for alternative export routes bloomberg.com. Satellite imagery has shown tankers continuing to dock at Das Island without broadcasting their positions, underscoring the ongoing efforts to maintain LNG exports despite the volatile security landscape bloomberg.com.
