TotalEnergies will invest in expanding the UAE’s Habshan Fujairah crude oil pipeline, as the UAE moves ahead with plans to double export capacity through Fujairah during 2027. TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne confirmed the investment on 24th August 2026 during the ONS energy conference in Stavanger, Norway. However, TotalEnergies has not disclosed its planned capital contribution or the structure of its participation. The expansion of the new UAE pipeline is expected to support greater crude movement from Abu Dhabi towards Fujairah and provide additional access to Gulf of Oman loading infrastructure.
Habshan Fujairah currently transports up to 1.8 million barrels of crude per day from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah. Under the expansion plans, export capacity is targeted to double, potentially taking nominal throughput to around 3.6 million barrels per day. UAE authorities expect the expanded West East pipeline system to become operational during 2027.
The pipeline infrastructure connects Abu Dhabi’s Habshan production area with Fujairah, allowing exporters to use crude loading facilities on the UAE’s eastern coast. ADNOC has also been advancing additional infrastructure intended to feed more barrels into the west-to-east corridor. The new UAE pipeline expansion would therefore provide producers with increased capacity for moving crude towards eastern loading facilities.
Fujairah gains greater role in UAE crude exports
Fujairah handled a larger proportion of UAE crude exports during July 2026 as regional shipping route instability redirected cargo flows towards the Gulf of Oman. Shipments through Fujairah accounted for 66 per cent of UAE exports during July, compared with 51 per cent in June. UAE crude exports averaged 3.46 million barrels per day during the month. Higher pipeline capacity would give producers more flexibility when allocating export volumes between loading terminals, while the expanded infrastructure would further support the role of Fujairah in the UAE’s crude export network.
TotalEnergies targets wider regional export infrastructure
TotalEnergies trades significant volumes of Iraqi and Qatari crude. Regional maritime disruption has increased transport costs and altered the economics of crude and refined product shipments. The company plans also include participation in a pipeline route connecting Baghdad with Syria. Pouyanne linked both investments to greater availability of overland crude export capacity across regional producing markets.
TotalEnergies had already discussed additional export infrastructure during its first quarter results briefing, with Pouyanne identifying Fujairah pipeline expansion among projects receiving renewed attention from regional producers. The planned investment in the new UAE pipeline consequently forms part of the company’s focus on additional crude evacuation infrastructure in the region.
