Saudi Aramco's East-West Pipeline Hits Maximum Capacity Amid Hormuz Disruptions

Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline has become a vital backup route for crude oil exports in case of disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz, according to Saudi Aramco. The pipeline, also known as Petroline, connects production and processing facilities in the Kingdom's east with Yanbu on the Red Sea, allowing for an alternative route without sending barrels through the strait.

The East-West Pipeline has a maximum capacity of 7 million barrels per day, which was reached during the first quarter of 2026. This expansion helps maintain supply flexibility amid shipping constraints in Hormuz, where oil flows averaged 20.9 million barrels per day in the first half of 2025, equivalent to about one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption.

The pipeline's strategic importance is tied to its ability to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical chokepoint for global energy trade. While it does not eliminate global exposure to a Hormuz disruption, the East-West Pipeline functions as a buffer, providing relief to customers affected by shipping restrictions.