Saudi Arabia restarts East-West pipeline to bypass Strait of Hormuz

Saudi Arabia resumed operations of its critical East-West pipeline on September 22, 2026, restoring a major export route that allows crude oil to be transported from eastern fields to the Red Sea. The restart follows a period of downtime caused by drone attacks, which had temporarily disabled the infrastructure. According to three sources cited by Reuters, the system is being brought back online gradually with initial low pumping rates, though exports from the port of Yanbu are expected to resume shortly.

The East-West pipeline serves as a vital strategic alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, which has recently faced disruptions. By utilizing this terrestrial corridor, Riyadh can transport roughly 4 million barrels of crude oil daily, significantly mitigating risks associated with maritime chokepoints. The news of the pipeline's return has had an immediate impact on global energy markets, leading to a decline in Brent crude futures of more than 2 dollars per barrel, marking the lowest price levels recorded since September 8.

While the flow remains limited during this initial restart phase, market observers are closely monitoring how quickly Saudi Aramco can ramp up operations to full capacity. The restoration of this route is considered essential for stabilizing global oil supplies and ensuring energy security in the region.