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Saudi Arabia starts East-West pipeline exports as flows reach 3.5 million barrels

By The Likely · Updated Sep 28, 5:20 PM ET · Drawn from 9 sources · Written by AI, checked against sources

Saudi Arabia started exporting crude through the repaired East-West pipeline, with flows reaching roughly 3.5 million barrels per day, Bloomberg reported on September 28.

Why it mattersThe route provides an export bypass around the Strait of Hormuz that previously carried 4% of global supply.

Saudi East-West oil pipeline restart by Oct 15Toss-up55%▲ from 42% yesterday

How we got here

  1. Saudi Arabia shut the pipeline after drone attacks targeted the Riyadh and Medina regions, blaming Iraqi militia. Bairdmaritime, CNBC
  2. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated the interruption would be brief and measured in days. CNBC
  3. Reuters reported that pipeline operations had restarted at a low rate and that Yanbu exports could resume later that day. Bloomberg separately reported that Saudi Arabia was building pressure on the line and aimed for a meaningful restart of flows by September 26. Investing, Bloomberg
  4. Pipeline volumes increased, but crude tanker loadings at Yanbu remained paused with two scheduled ships not loading. Bairdmaritime
  5. Saudi Arabia began exporting oil through the repaired pipeline, with flows reaching about 3.5 million barrels per day. Bloomberg

What's likely next

  1. The pipeline will resume crude supply to Aramco refineries located on the Red Sea coast, one of the sources said, adding that one cargo was scheduled to load at Yanbu later on Tuesday.
  2. Saudi East-West oil pipeline restartVery unlikely19%
  3. Saudi East-West oil pipeline restartToss-up55%▲ from 42% yesterday
  4. Saudi East-West oil pipeline restartVery likely80%

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