Aramco Rapidly Repairs Damaged Pipeline Amid Ongoing Conflict

Saudi Aramco is rapidly repairing a damaged pumping station on its 1,200-kilometer East-West oil pipeline. The damage was caused by drone strikes by Iran-backed militias in Iraq last week.

Three pumping stations were hit, including one major facility southeast of Medina. The pipeline, which had been moving 4 to 5 million barrels per day since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed, was shut down on September 11 as a precautionary measure after the attack caused damage and injuries in the Riyadh and Medina regions.

Aramco is aiming to restore about half its export capacity within days, roughly 2 to 2.5 million barrels per day, with full restoration targeted in approximately six weeks. The pipeline's extensive domestic supply chain could help speed up repairs, with around 70% of its operational inputs sourced locally.