Saudi East-West Pipeline Reopens After Drone Attack

Saudi Arabia has reopened its East-West pipeline after it was shut down following a drone attack on September 11. The pipeline, which carries around 4 million barrels per day of oil from production areas in the east to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, had been out of operation since the attack.

The resumption of operations is expected to boost global oil supply and increase exports from the Middle East. Brent crude prices fell by over $2 per barrel to around $97 as expectations of increased oil supplies grew.

Saudi Aramco is targeting a return to a flow rate of 4 million bpd, although oil flows remain at low levels for now. The pipeline's maximum capacity is 7 million bpd, and it may take several weeks for the route to reach full recovery.