ExxonMobil and Chevron executives cancel Abu Dhabi energy summit trip

Executives from ExxonMobil and Chevron have cancelled plans to attend the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in the United Arab Emirates. ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods and Chevron upstream president Clay Neff were scheduled to participate in the event, which is set to take place from November 2 to 5.

Sources indicate the decision was driven by security concerns regarding regional instability. The cancellations come amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, fueled by fears of potential military operations involving the United States and Iran. While US President Donald Trump previously suggested he would not launch an attack on Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, recent rhetoric regarding potential military operations has contributed to market and regional uncertainty.

This disruption follows similar patterns in the region, where previous energy conferences, such as the WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh, saw executive attendance drop due to security threats. Additionally, the US State Department has recently ordered some diplomats to leave Saudi Arabia following attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces.