Satellite images show Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. still loading liquefied natural gas onto tankers at its Das Island facility despite disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and a fresh escalation of hostilities. ADNOC's vessels are switching off their transponders to travel through the strait undetected, while Persian Gulf LNG exports overall remain far below pre-war levels.
Satellite images show tankers still loading at Das Island
A vessel was docked at ADNOC's Das Island export facility on Sept. 2, with at least one other tanker spotted nearby, according to images taken by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite. However, no tankers were broadcasting their positions near the plant, ship-tracking data showed, suggesting they have switched off their transponders to avoid detection. Adnoc didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The United Arab Emirates' state-owned company has proven adept at moving energy supplies through Hormuz to global customers, particularly crude, despite the persistent threat of attack. Satellite images have shown a number of ships docked at the facility over the past few months, indicating Adnoc has had at least some success transporting LNG out of the gulf.
Fighting between the US and Iran resumes
The US and Iran renewed fighting this week after a period of relative calm, raising concerns about further disruptions to energy flows through Hormuz. President Donald Trump said attacks on Iran would likely be short-lived, but warned: "we're prepared to do another one any time we want."
Earlier this week, two oil supertankers were struck in the strait. Even with the Adnoc cargoes, LNG exports out of the Persian Gulf remain far below pre-war levels of three shipments a day. Visible flows have been at an effective standstill since an Iranian attack on a Qatar-owned vessel in early July.
Qatar reroutes shipments, Adnoc tankers go dark
Qatar, the world's second-largest LNG exporter last year, has also periodically loaded tankers at its Ras Laffan facility within the gulf. However, the country has largely stopped sending fuel through the narrow waterway, with shipments delivered to Kuwait instead.
LNG tankers linked to Adnoc have stopped transmitting signals around Hormuz and within the Persian Gulf. Instead, vessels stop near the eastern shore of the UAE, turn off their transponders, then travel dark through the strait to Das Island to collect a cargo, resuming broadcasts once safely outside the gulf. Last month, an Adnoc-owned ship conducted a ship-to-ship transfer outside of Hormuz, a tactic to get more gas out of the Persian Gulf.
Source: Rigzone
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