Saudi Crude Supplies to Europe Halted Amid Pipeline Shutdown

Saudi Arabia's state oil company Aramco has informed European refiners that they will not receive Saudi crude in October due to the shutdown of the East-West pipeline. The pipeline, which carries around 4-5 million barrels of crude per day, was damaged by attacks on three pumping stations along its 1,200km route to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

The disruption has significant implications for European countries, which imported approximately 577,000 barrels per day from Saudi Arabia as of June. The International Energy Agency cited this data in a report. In response, Saudi Arabia is seeking alternative routes, including increased shipments through the Strait of Hormuz while repairs to the pipeline are ongoing.

The East-West pipeline shutdown and subsequent disruption to crude supplies have caused concern among European refiners. With repair work expected to take weeks, it remains unclear when Saudi crude deliveries will resume.