Saudi Arabia Restores Oil Exports via East-West Pipeline After Drone Attacks

Saudi Arabia has restored oil exports via its East-West Pipeline following repairs after drone attacks in early September. The pipeline is now transporting about 3.5 million barrels per day, which is roughly half of its total capacity.

The restoration of this route allows Riyadh to once again use an alternative export route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. Some oil is being routed to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast, but this route is also under threat due to intensified attacks by Yemeni Houthis on energy infrastructure.

The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen attacked energy facilities and civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia in September, causing fires at oil facilities and a temporary shutdown of some operations. The attacks resulted in 73 people being wounded, according to the kingdom's military and Ministry of Energy.