Saudi Arabia's East-West Oil Pipeline Shut Down Following Drone Attack
The decision to halt operations on the East-West pipeline, which affects 5 percent of global oil supplies, comes at a time when disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are ongoing.
Saudi Arabia's 1,200-kilometer-long East-West oil pipeline, connecting the country's eastern fields to the Red Sea, has been temporarily shut down as a precaution following drone attacks.
Drone Attacks and Pipeline Shutdown
Following drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia's critical oil infrastructure, the pipeline connecting the country's eastern production fields to the port of Yanbu was halted. Precautions were taken by the Ministry of Energy following incidents that caused damage and injuries in the Riyadh and Medina regions.
Impact on Global Oil Supply
The decommissioning of the pipeline, which transports approximately 4 to 5 million barrels of oil per day, directly affected nearly 5 percent of global oil supplies. The closure of this line, which allows bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, increased pressure on tightening markets.
Origin of Attacks and Regional Conflicts
Officials determined that the drones used in the attacks were launched from the Maysan governorate in southeastern Iraq, near the Iranian border. This coincided with ongoing regional tensions and increased attacks by the Houthis around the Red Sea.
Export Capacity and Repair Process
While it is stated that current repair work could take five to six weeks, it is noted that existing inventories at Yanbu and Egyptian facilities can only support exports for a short period.