Saudi Arabia has fully restored its East-West pipeline to a capacity of 7 million barrels per day, reestablishing a crucial export route to the Red Sea following a disruptive strike last week. The attack, which occurred just hours after a ceasefire in the Iran war, damaged one of the 11 pumping stations along the 746-mile conduit, slashing throughput by 700,000 barrels daily.
The rapid recovery highlights the operational strength of Saudi Aramco and the kingdom’s energy infrastructure. Since late February, Saudi Arabia has ramped up crude shipments from its Red Sea terminals fourfold to bypass the near-complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to regional hostilities. The East-West pipeline, stretching 1,200 kilometers, primarily carries light crude from fields like Khurais, which remains under repair after separate attacks cut its output by 300,000 barrels a day.
Output at the offshore Manifa facility, which pumps heavier crude grades, has also been restored, though it too suffered a production drop of 300,000 barrels daily from earlier strikes. The energy ministry emphasized the kingdom’s ability to manage crises effectively, ensuring supply continuity to both domestic and international markets despite ongoing regional disruptions.
The pipeline’s rehabilitation comes as a critical lifeline for global oil flows, with Gulf production and tanker traffic still hampered by conflict. The East-West conduit has become a strategic workaround for Saudi Arabia to maintain export volumes amid constrained access through traditional routes.
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Repairs at the onshore Khurais complex continue, with no firm timeline for full restoration. The facility’s light crude is a key component of the pipeline’s throughput, underscoring the urgency of completing work there. Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco’s offshore deposits, including Manifa, contribute heavier barrels less suited to the same export channels but vital to diversified output.
The kingdom’s energy ecosystem has shown agility in navigating these setbacks, with the pipeline’s full restoration marking a tangible step toward stabilizing supply. As of now, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea terminals are handling a quadrupled volume of crude compared to six weeks ago, a figure that underscores the scale of adaptation in response to geopolitical pressures.
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