Saudi Arabia Redirects Oil Exports Amid Pipeline Disruptions

Satellite images have shown a surge in supertankers at Saudi Arabia's Gulf export terminals, reaching their highest count since June. This comes as the kingdom reroutes its oil exports following drone strikes that targeted the Yanbu terminal on the Red Sea.

The Houthi movement launched drone attacks from Iraq on September 11, shutting down the East-West pipeline, which normally carries 7 million barrels a day across 1,200 kilometers. The attack took 4-5 million barrels a day offline, causing Saudi crude loadings to fall by over 70%.

The U.S. Energy Secretary stated that the pipeline would restart within days, but industry analysts suggest full restoration could take six weeks or more due to destroyed pump stations.