Saudi Arabia Shuts East-West Oil Pipeline After Drone Attack

Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut its strategic East-West oil pipeline after drone attacks struck the route, disrupting a major crude export corridor used to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Arabia Temporarily Closes East-West Pipeline

MONTREAL (Oil Monster): Saudi Arabia has temporarily halted operations on its strategic East-West crude oil pipeline following drone attacks that struck infrastructure along the route.

The Saudi government said the pipeline was shut as a precaution after multiple drones originating from Iraq targeted areas along the route in the Riyadh and Medina regions. The attacks caused injuries and material damage.

Pipeline Provides Key Alternative to Strait of Hormuz

The approximately 1,200-kilometer pipeline carries crude oil from Saudi Arabia’s eastern producing region across the country to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

The route has become especially important during the Middle East conflict because it allows Saudi crude to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters reported that the pipeline had been moving roughly 4 million to 5 million barrels per day, representing about 4% to 5% of global oil supply.

Attack Adds Pressure to Global Oil Supply Routes

The shutdown adds another source of uncertainty to global oil markets at a time when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and other Middle East routes has already been disrupted.

Satellite imagery showed black smoke rising from an area near the pipeline south of Medina following the attack. Saudi officials said the extent of the damage was being assessed.

Iraq Investigates Drone Launches

Iraqi authorities confirmed that the drones involved in the attack had been launched from Iraqi territory.

Iraq subsequently dismissed the military commander and police chief in Maysan province and opened an investigation into the incident.

Saudi Arabia has so far refrained from retaliatory action following a request from the Iraqi government.

Shutdown Exposes Vulnerability of Alternative Export Routes

The East-West Pipeline had served as one of Saudi Arabia’s most important alternatives to Gulf shipping disruptions.

Its temporary closure highlights the vulnerability of overland crude export infrastructure as conflict-related risks expand beyond the Strait of Hormuz and into other parts of the Middle East.

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