Operations Suspended at Shah Gas Plant After Drone Attack
Major UAE energy facility halts production as damage is assessed, no injuries reported.
- Publish date: Tuesday، 17 March 2026 Reading time: two min read
Operations at the Shah gas plant in the United Arab Emirates have been suspended after a drone strike ignited a fire at the vital energy facility, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office said the attack, attributed to drones, led to a blaze that forced a temporary shutdown of the plant while officials assess the extent of the damage. Emergency teams brought the fire under control, and there were no reported injuries among workers or responders.
Located about 180km southwest of Abu Dhabi, the Shah facility is operated by Adnoc Sour Gas — a partnership between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and US energy major Occidental Petroleum. It is a cornerstone of the UAE’s energy infrastructure, processing ultra‑sour gas and contributing an estimated 20 percent of the country’s natural gas supply, as well as significant levels of granulated sulphur production.
The suspension of operations comes amid a broader escalation of regional hostilities involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which have seen multiple attacks on energy infrastructure across the Gulf. The assault on the Shah gas field highlights the vulnerability of critical industrial assets in the region and raises concerns over potential impacts on energy supplies and markets.
Officials have not yet specified how long the shutdown might last, saying only that assessments are ongoing to determine the full scope of the damage and the timeline for safely resuming production.
The incident adds to a series of recent disruptions, including strikes on other energy and transportation facilities in the region, which have put added pressure on global supply chains and commodity markets.