UAE begins operating Abu Dhabi-Fujairah crude pipeline

This article was republished July 18 to correct and otherwise clarify some erroneous information.

The United Arab Emirates has inaugurated its 252-mile Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline (ADCOP) from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah. Oil exports from Fujairah will pass through the Gulf of Oman, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. Initial runs occurred at 1 million b/d, but ADCOP will eventually carry 1.5 million b/d, with up to 1.8 million b/d possible with the use of additives.

ADCOP also includes space for 12 million bbl of storage (with eight 1-million bbl tanks currently available) three subsea loading pipelines, a main pumping station, intermediate pumping station, and three single-point mooring buoys for deepwater tanker loading. China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corp. was ADCOP’s main engineering, procurement, and construction contractor (OGJ Online, May 27, 2009).

Start-up of the pipeline was originally scheduled for August 2011. ADNOC expects to begin full operations later this month.

Efforts to develop alternative outlets for Persian Gulf crude, avoiding the Strait of Hormuz, were reinvigorated earlier this year when Iran threatened closure of the waterway.

Contact Christopher E. Smith at [email protected].