Saudi Restarts East-West Pipeline as Brent Falls

Saudi Arabia has restarted its East-West crude oil pipeline at a reduced rate, with Saudi Aramco working toward restoring flows of about 4 million barrels per day as crude exports from the Red Sea port of Yanbu prepare to resume.

By Carolina Curiel
Published September 23, 2026

MONTREAL (Oil Monster): Saudi Arabia restarted operations on its East-West Pipeline on Tuesday as the kingdom moved to restore crude flows toward the Red Sea following an outage caused by drone attacks earlier this month.

Three sources briefed on the matter told Reuters that exports from the Red Sea port of Yanbu could resume as pipeline operations recover.

Pipeline Restarts at Reduced Rate

The East-West Pipeline was pumping at a low rate following the restart, according to two sources.

Saudi Aramco is seeking to restore flows to approximately 4 million barrels per day, one source said.

The pipeline has maximum pumping capacity of about 7 million barrels per day.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration identifies the system as one of the region’s key alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, carrying crude from eastern Saudi Arabia toward Yanbu on the Red Sea.

Full Restoration Could Take Several Weeks

A security source said the pipeline could reach approximately 40% of capacity within a few days, while a full restart could take six to eight weeks.

A separate oil-industry source said full pumping rates could be restored within approximately six weeks.

Three pumping stations were damaged in the drone attack, according to satellite imagery and industry sources.

The system is served by 11 pumping stations and two separate pressure-relief stations.

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Yanbu Crude Loadings Expected to Resume

The pipeline restart is also expected to restore crude supply to Saudi Aramco refineries on the Red Sea coast.

One cargo was scheduled to load at Yanbu on Tuesday and was expected to sail for China, according to a source cited by Reuters.

Traders were also positioning tankers near Egypt’s Port Said and Sidi Kerir for potential ship-to-ship transfers as Saudi crude flows adjusted.

Pipeline Has Become Critical as Hormuz Alternative

The East-West Pipeline has taken on greater importance since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran disrupted normal oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Arabia had been using the route to move approximately 4 million barrels per day toward Yanbu, equivalent to about 4% of global oil supply, according to Reuters.

The pipeline allows Saudi crude to travel from eastern production areas to the Red Sea without passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent Falls as Supply Expectations Improve

The restart contributed to selling in global oil markets as traders anticipated an increase in available Middle Eastern crude flows.

Brent crude fell by more than $2 per barrel toward $97 during Tuesday trading, reaching its lowest level since September 8.

Oil prices were also pressured by Iran’s statement that the Strait of Hormuz could potentially reopen within seven days and by increased Saudi loadings from the Ras Tanura terminal.

Those developments raised expectations that more crude could reach international buyers through both Red Sea and Gulf export routes.

Restart Does Not Mean Full Capacity Is Restored

The pipeline’s return to service does not mean the system has returned to normal operating levels.

Saudi Aramco’s reported near-term target of approximately 4 million barrels per day remains below the pipeline’s maximum capacity, while repairs to damaged pumping infrastructure are continuing.

The speed of the ramp-up at Yanbu and the timing of full restoration will determine how quickly Saudi Arabia can reduce its reliance on more complex export arrangements through the Gulf.

Courtesy: www.reuters.com