UAE's largest gas field ablaze after drone strike

A fierce fire erupted at the UAE's largest gas extraction field following a drone attack, forcing the facility to cease operations.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) officials reported a drone (UAV) attack on 16/3 caused a fire at the Shah gas field, located about 180 km southwest of Abu Dhabi. Social media videos showed massive flames and thick black smoke rising from the site.

Fire at the Shah gas extraction field, UAE, after a UAV attack on 16/3. *Video: X/TMT*

Authorities brought the fire under control, reporting no casualties. However, the Shah gas field will remain offline while officials assess the damage. It is currently unknown when the facility will resume operations.

The Shah gas field is the UAE's largest and one of the world's biggest, with an extraction capacity of about 36 million standard cubic meters of gas per day, according to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

In Fujairah city, UAE, a fire also erupted at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ) following a drone attack. Emergency services are working to control the situation. A significant fire had also broken out in the same area one day prior, also due to a drone strike.

Fire at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ), UAE, on 17/3. *Photo: Anadolu Agency*

Fujairah city, situated on the Gulf of Oman, serves as a vital energy export route for the UAE, allowing shipments to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which is largely under an Iranian blockade.

FOIZ boasts the Middle East's largest commercial storage capacity for refined oil products, holding approximately 70 million barrels. It is adjacent to Fujairah oil port, which has sustained damage from three drone attacks this month.

The Middle East has been engulfed in conflict since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on 28/2. Iran retaliated by firing missiles and drones at Israeli territory, US bases in the Middle East, and critical energy infrastructure in several Gulf nations.

Since the conflict began, Iran has consistently targeted UAE's energy and transportation infrastructure. The country's daily oil output has more than halved, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has compelled state-owned oil company ADNOC to halt widespread production.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused multiple missiles attacking Iran's Kharg island of being launched from the UAE, an accusation UAE officials denied. To date, the UAE has reported seven fatalities from Iranian attacks: five civilians and two military personnel.