Saudi Arabia Restarts East-West Pipeline Operations

Saudi Arabia resumed operations of its East-West Pipeline on September 22, 2026, after it was shut down on September 13 due to drone attacks that halted crude loadings at the kingdom’s Yanbu port. The resumption of supplies contributed to a decline in Brent crude futures, which fell by over $2 a barrel, marking the lowest price since September 8.

The East-West Pipeline is significant for rerouting approximately 4 million barrels per day, representing about 4% of global oil supply, especially following disruptions in oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz due to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Although the pipeline restarted, it was operating at a low rate initially.

Aramco is aiming to increase the pumping rate back to 4 million barrels per day, but a security source indicated that a full resumption could take weeks. The pipeline will supply crude to Aramco refineries on the Red Sea coast, with one cargo scheduled to load at Yanbu for China.