Saudi Pipeline Attack Disrupts Crude Oil Exports to Europe

Saudi Arabia has informed at least two European refining customers that they will not receive any crude oil from Saudi Aramco in October due to an attack on the country's East-West pipeline. The pipeline, which carries crude across Saudi Arabia and serves as a key export route to Europe, was disrupted after the September 15 attack.

The reported cuts affect long-term contracts that normally provide monthly supplies of crude oil to European refiners. This move is part of earlier disruptions to European shipments, with some September-loading cargoes being canceled and oil loading at the Red Sea port of Yanbu suspended.

Poland's Orlen has been seeking alternative crude supplies since before the October allocation report was released, purchasing North Sea crude oil to replace disrupted Saudi Arabian imports. The company issued over 10 tenders in an effort to obtain additional crude supplies and maintain operations at its refineries in Poland, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic.