Saudi Arabia Restores East-West Pipeline to Full Capacity After Drone Attacks
Saudi Arabia has fully restored crude oil flows through its East-West Pipeline to 5.8 million barrels per day following recent drone attacks that disrupted operations. Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced the recovery at the Made in the Gulf conference in Bahrain, noting that the pipeline was back online within five to six days of the strike.
The rapid recovery was attributed to Saudi Arabia's energy-sector localization program, which allowed the kingdom to develop technologies and materials to handle larger volumes without expanding the pipeline or increasing pipe sizes. This increased available export capacity to about 7 million barrels per day, matching the pipeline's full pumping capacity.
The East-West Pipeline, also known as Petroline, has become a critical alternative route for Saudi oil shipments amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The 1,200-kilometer pipeline connects eastern production facilities to export terminals on the Red Sea, reducing reliance on the strait. The recent attacks targeted three of its 11 pump stations, causing an 11-day shutdown.
Prince Abdulaziz emphasized the need for a more self-reliant energy sector and encouraged regional cooperation among Gulf Cooperation Council members. He stated that all aspects of the energy system should be localized within the kingdom, with opportunities for partnership among Gulf nations.