Operations at the Shah gas field in the United Arab Emirates have been suspended following a drone attack that triggered a fire at the site.
The facility, operated by ADNOC Sour Gas, lies approximately 180 kilometres south-west of Abu Dhabi and ranks among the world’s largest sour gas developments.
Officials confirmed that the blaze, which broke out on Monday, has been contained and that no injuries occurred.
The Shah gas field forms a central part of ADNOC’s integrated gas strategy and supplies key feedstock for domestic and export markets.
Operated as a joint venture between ADNOC and Occidental Petroleum, the field’s processing complex has a capacity to produce about 1.28 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.
It also yields 4.2 million tonnes of sulphur per year, making it one of the primary sources of granulated sulphur globally.
ADNOC Sour Gas has described the site as the only single facility capable of processing more than one billion cubic feet per day of ultra-sour gas, with additional products including condensate, ethane and natural gas liquids distributed through ADNOC group channels.
Authorities are currently conducting a full assessment of the damage caused by the attack, with operations remaining suspended until safety and structural evaluations are complete.
The incident adds strain to the UAE’s energy infrastructure, which in recent weeks has faced recurrent security threats targeting facilities and shipping routes linked to the country’s oil exports.
The Fujairah Oil Industry Zone, a key logistics and storage hub on the Gulf of Oman, has also experienced continued attacks attributed to Iran.
According to industry reports, a tanker located about 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah was struck by an unidentified projectile, sustaining minor structural damage but causing no casualties.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre confirmed the incident, noting ongoing risks to maritime routes in the area.
Collectively, these disruptions have pressured ADNOC’s oil and gas production activities, resulting in temporary slowdowns and operational adjustments. The partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints — has further compounded export challenges, prompting ADNOC to implement production cutbacks. Still, loading operations at the Fujairah port have partially resumed after temporary halts earlier in the week.
Global oil markets reacted swiftly to the escalating tensions.
On Tuesday, Brent crude futures rose by 3 per cent to US$103.28 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate climbed by 3.6 per cent to US$96.85.
Analysts linked the price surge to heightened supply concerns arising from the security situation and a limited willingness among US allies to provide naval escorts for shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a related diplomatic move, Iran has urged India to release three oil tankers detained earlier this year while seeking assurances for the safe passage of vessels through the contested waterway.
The International Energy Agency, meanwhile, indicated that member nations may consider additional releases from strategic oil reserves to alleviate pressure on global supply beyond the previously agreed 400 million barrels.
