The facility, which serves as a vital bypass for the Strait of Hormuz, was shuttered last Thursday following strikes launched from Iraqi territory near the Iranian border. Satellite imagery confirms physical damage to the pipeline infrastructure, casting doubt on the Kingdom's ability to maintain its daily output of 4 million barrels. While one source suggests partial operations might resume sooner, the exact capacity remains unknown.
Saudi Pipeline Repairs Face Weeks of Delays Following Drone Strikes
The East-West pipeline, a critical artery for Saudi oil exports, faces a multi-week shutdown after drone strikes crippled a major pumping station. While the Kingdom remains silent on the timeline, officials warn that restoring the 750-mile infrastructure could take up to five weeks, rattling global energy markets.
Asian refiners are currently operating in a vacuum of information. Multiple traders report receiving no official guidance from Saudi authorities regarding cargo loadings at the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Refiners are holding to existing schedules for now, but the lack of transparency has left the market vulnerable to further volatility. Saudi Arabia continues to rely on this route to circumvent regional shipping bottlenecks, making the restoration of the line a high-stakes priority for global energy stability.
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