UAE energy infrastructure secure despite recent terrorist attacks: energy minister

Energy infrastructure in the UAE, OPEC's third-largest producer, is "secure" with no impact on operations following an attack earlier this month and repeated foiled missile launches against Abu Dhabi, the country's energy minister said Feb. 2.

"I can assure you that our infrastructure is the safe. We haven't seen any interruption of the businesses in our ports, very smooth operations," Suhail al-Mazrouei told Platts on the sidelines of an industry event in Dubai.

"Unfortunately all of the countries around the world are dealing with that threat. But we are very confident that we are securing our infrastructure and we are having no impact and no issues," he added.

His comments follow yet another thwarted missile attack by Yemen's Houthi militant group on the UAE's capital on Jan. 31.

The UAE's ministry of defense said Jan. 31 its air forces intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis, without any casualties, as fragments from the missile fell outside populated regions.

The incident followed an attack on Jan. 17 that occurred at the site of storage tanks owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., the UAE's biggest energy producer, which pumps most of the country's crude and gas. The attacks also left three dead, marking the first such casualties in recent history from an attack on energy installations in the oil-producing countries of the Middle East.

The UAE, which is a crucial member of the OPEC+ alliance is currently ramping up its crude production capacity to 5 million b/d by 2030 from 4 million b/d presently.

The UAE pumped 2.87 million b/d of crude oil in December 2021, according to the latest S&P Global Platts survey of OPEC+ group's output.

The Houthis against whom the UAE is waging a war in coalition with Saudi Arabia, have threatened key oil installations and facilities in the UAE.

Following the foiled attack on the country on Jan. 31, the Houthis warned UAE citizens, residents, and companies to stay away from vital facilities because they could be targeted over the coming period.

The UAE's ministry of defense has vowed "full readiness to deal with any threats," and said that it will "take all necessary measures to protect the UAE from any attacks".

Oil prices have risen to seven-year highs amid continued tensions in the region as well as build-up of armed forces along the Ukraine-Russia border.

Last year, a record 31 security incidents targeting energy infrastructure in the Gulf was registered, which depends on US military support and technology for air defense, according to the S&P Global Platts Oil Security Sentinel.

Dated Brent, which crossed the $90 threshold last week was trading 0.81% higher at $93.265/b at 12:30 pm UAE time.