Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline is shut after drone attacks, and traders warn it could reduce exports by volumes equivalent to up to 4% of global oil supply. Sources cited by outlets say the disruption is linked to Saudi plans to reroute crude via the Red Sea port of Yanbu, which depends on pipeline flows.
The accounts agree the pipeline is part of rerouting about 4 million barrels per day to Yanbu, and that this could tighten global supply and push fuel prices higher. Outlets also note that Saudi Arabia has not fully detailed the extent of the damage or expected downtime. Different reports attribute varying repair timelines: one estimate suggests repairs could take five to six weeks, while another indicates pumping could resume partially sooner.
The story is framed against an already strained global market, with some outlets linking the potential shortfall to record-high fuel prices and broader regional conflict affecting supply expectations. Overall, the focus across sources is on the scale of the potential throughput loss and the uncertainty over how quickly the pipeline restarts.
