Exxon and Chevron executives cancel Abu Dhabi oil conference trips over security concerns as regional tensions rise

Senior executives from ExxonMobil and Chevron have canceled plans to attend next week’s ADIPEC energy conference in Abu Dhabi because of security concerns, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Exxon CEO Darren Woods had been expected to attend the conference, while Chevron planned to send Clay Neff, president of its upstream business, Reuters reported.

Neither company commented on the cancellations. UAE state energy company ADNOC referred questions to ADIPEC organizer DMG Events.

The withdrawals come amid heightened concern over renewed U.S. military action against Iran and the risk of Iranian retaliation across the Gulf. No Iranian attacks have targeted the United Arab Emirates since May.

ADIPEC is still scheduled to go ahead from Nov. 2-5. Organizers say more than 120 U.S. companies will participate, making the United States the second-largest national contingent after China.

DMG said the conference expects participants from more than 170 countries and record exhibition participation this year. Exxon and Chevron were not listed among the confirmed U.S. industry speakers cited by Reuters.

The cancellations add to signs that regional security risks are affecting travel by senior energy executives, after some executives were also removed from the schedule of the WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh earlier this month.