Saudi Arabia Shuts Down East-West Oil Pipeline Amid Regional Conflict
Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline has been shut down as a precautionary measure following multiple attacks, according to the Saudi Ministry of Energy. The pipeline, which links oil production facilities in the Eastern Province with Yanbu on the west coast, is critical for providing flexibility in exporting oil from both coasts. It has a full pumping capacity of approximately seven million barrels per day.
The attacks occurred on Thursday and resulted in injuries, but the ministry did not specify who was responsible. The decision to shut down the pipeline comes after a series of strikes between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels, amid the ongoing US-Iran war.
Shipments of energy supplies have been severely curtailed due to Iran's effective closing of the Strait of Hormuz. This development signals that Saudi Arabia's oil resources and exports are under increasing threat in the region.