Abu Dhabi's Ruwais Refinery Halts Operations After Attack, Global Oil Supply Faces Tightening Pressure

The UAE's largest refining facility, ADNOC's Ruwais Refinery, has suspended all operations following a fire triggered by an Iranian drone attack. According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, the incident occurred in the Ruwais Industrial City. While there was a fire at the scene, no casualties were reported, and emergency response procedures were immediately activated.

According to IIR Energy analysis, the incident led to the shutdown of Ruwais's key cracking unit (RBC unit). In the days prior, the plant had already proactively reduced processing loads due to safety risks. In the short term, this production cut will directly impact the market supply of diesel, jet fuel, and naphtha in the Middle East, exacerbating the regional refinery product tightness.

Saudi Aramco CEO Amin H. Nasser pointed out that if the disruption persists, it could cause a "catastrophic shock" to the global crude oil market and once again highlight the extreme importance of ensuring the Hormuz Strait remains open. Currently, officials have not released specific details on the extent of the damage or a timeline for recovery. According to industry practice, the restart process requires a comprehensive safety assessment, equipment integrity testing, and regulatory approvals, which is expected to take several weeks. Risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft warned that energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf region is increasingly becoming a direct target of geopolitical conflict. This not only increases operational risks but may also drive up insurance costs and affect global shipping route planning. The market is closely monitoring subsequent developments to assess the long-term impact on international oil prices and regional energy security.