Saudi Aramco reactivates East-West Pipeline, enhancing oil transport capacity and reducing reliance on the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Aramco has completed the necessary technical work for the partial reactivation of the East-West Pipeline, which was damaged in a drone attack on September 11. As the pipeline prepares to operate again with reduced capacity, a critical alternative route that will decrease Saudi Arabia's dependence on the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports is coming back online.
The East-West Pipeline (Petroline), one of the most important infrastructures for Saudi Arabia's energy export security, is being reactivated following the attack.
According to information reported by Reuters, Bloomberg, and the Financial Times, Saudi Aramco has provided the necessary technical capabilities for the repair of the pipeline damaged in the drone attack on September 11.
Initially, the pipeline will operate not at full capacity but at a reduced capacity.
The initial target is 4 million barrels per day.
Saudi Arabia's short-term goal is to reach a daily oil transportation capacity of approximately 4 million barrels through the East-West Pipeline.
This amount is sufficient to meet the needs of the country's refineries on the Red Sea coast and to provide additional export opportunities.
Before the attack, the pipeline had a capacity of about 7 million barrels per day, connecting the oil fields on Saudi Arabia's eastern coast to the Yanbu export terminal on the Red Sea.
Preparations for the first shipment in Yanbu are underway.
With the pipeline set to resume operations, attention has turned to the Yanbu Port on the Red Sea coast.
According to information reported by Reuters, preparations are underway for one of the first crude oil export shipments from Yanbu.
This development is seen as a significant step in Saudi Arabia's efforts to create alternatives to shipments made via the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
It may reduce pressure on Hormuz.
The East-West Pipeline holds strategic importance for Saudi Arabia.
Through this pipeline, the country can transport a portion of its oil to global markets via the Red Sea without using the Strait of Hormuz.
Recently, due to attacks and security risks around Hormuz, costs in the tanker market have risen, and the reactivation of the pipeline increases the importance of alternative routes in energy trade.
The impact on the tanker market will be monitored closely.
The resumption of the pipeline's operations is also being closely watched regarding the future of tanker shipments through Hormuz.
If the pipeline's capacity increases again, it may be possible for some oil loads to be exported via Yanbu instead of the Persian Gulf.
This situation could particularly affect the route preferences, freight rates, and maritime traffic in the region for VLCC tankers.
However, it has been noted that the pipeline has not yet returned to its full capacity prior to the attack, and the repair process is ongoing.
A critical step in energy security.
Saudi Arabia's efforts to reactivate the East-West Pipeline are viewed not only as a technical repair but also as a strategic move against the increasing security risks in the region.
While tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue, the Riyadh administration is working to strengthen alternative routes for oil exports.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
