Saudi Aramco said it raised its east-west pipeline to maximum capacity during the Strait of Hormuz disruption, reports Ventura, California's gCaptain. The company described the system as a critical supply artery that helped offset a global energy shock.

In its first-quarter 2026 earnings release, Aramco stated that the 1,200-kilometre pipeline reached its full capacity of seven million barrels per day, rerouting exports via the Red Sea coast. President and CEO Amin H. Nasser emphasized that recent events highlight the vital role of oil and gas in energy security.

The company activated contingency plans, rerouting crude through alternative export routes and relying on its storage infrastructure. Aramco noted that geopolitical developments significantly impacted global energy markets, increasing volatility and forcing rapid continuity measures.

Despite regional instability and impacts to certain facilities, Aramco asserted that its financial position and cash flow were not materially affected. Adjusted net income rose to US$33.6 billion in the first quarter, up from $26.6 billion a year earlier, aided by higher prices and stronger refining margins.

Investor materials highlighted the strategic importance of westbound export infrastructure, including routes through the SUMED pipeline and the Suez Canal. Aramco reported that cumulative supply losses linked to the Hormuz disruption exceeded one billion barrels, hitting an already tight market.

The company emphasized that decades of investment in flexible infrastructure and logistics planning enabled it to maintain exports during the crisis. Shipping through Hormuz remains severely disrupted despite limited escorted transits.