Saudi Arabia shuts down East–West pipeline after drone strikes
The East–West Pipeline in Saudi Arabia was shut down after drone attacks on September 10–11. The pipeline carried 4–5 million barrels of oil per day, up to 5% of global supply. Restoration could take five to six weeks.
Sources
· 10Крупный нефтепровод в Саудовской Аравии выведен из строя
1Удар дронов остановил нефтепровод Саудовской Аравии, под угрозой 4% мировых поставок
2Саудовская Аравия остановила нефтепровод «Восток–Запад» после атак в районах Эр-Рияда и Медины
3Саудовская Аравия закрыла нефтепровод Восток-Запад после атак хуситов
4Удары дронов поразили насосные станции нефтепровода Саудовской Аравии Восток-Запад
5Экспорт саудовской нефти через Красное море упал на 41%, остался только Суэцкий маршрут
6Хуситы захватили Моху и остров в Красном море, Саудовская Аравия закрыла нефтепровод после атак дронов
7Саудовская Аравия сократила добычу нефти до минимума с 1990 года, Brent выше $100
8Нефтеперерабатывающий завод Saudi Aramco в Джизане вновь атакован
9Саудовская Аравия заявила об атаке дронов из Ирака на нефтепровод East-West
10Key points
- The pipeline carried 4–5 million barrels of oil per day — up to 5% of global supply.
- Buyers and traders estimate that Yanbu port has only five to seven days of import stocks, putting up to 4% of global supplies at risk.
- Saudi Arabia said the drones were launched from Iraq and will for now refrain from a retaliatory strike.
What happened
On September 10, several drones attacked the East–West Pipeline in Saudi Arabia near Riyadh and Medina. The attacks severely damaged several pumping stations and injured several people. Satellite imagery showed fires and thick black smoke near the Al-Mesbaa and Al-Dekra pumping stations.
The pipeline carried 4–5 million barrels of oil per day, accounting for up to 5% of global supply. Buyers and traders said that Yanbu port would have only five to seven days of imports if the pipeline is not restored. The shutdown has already led to a rise in oil prices.
Why it matters
By the time of the shutdown, exports from Yanbu port had already fallen 41% from the March peak — to 2.39 million barrels per day in June. Saudi oil exports to Asia fell by roughly half — from 3 million to 1.5 million barrels per day. In August, Saudi oil production fell to 6.238 million barrels per day, the lowest monthly level since 1990, and Brent rose above $100 per barrel.
What changed
On September 7, the Saudi Aramco refinery in Jizan with a capacity of 400,000 barrels per day was attacked. Over the past two days, the Houthis captured the port city of Mocha and an island in the Red Sea, intensifying their blockade of Saudi shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Who's affected
Several people were injured and received medical assistance. Iraq condemned the attack, and Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation. Saudi Arabia said the drones were launched from Iraq, but will for now refrain from a retaliatory strike at Baghdad's request. Yanbu port, to which the pipeline delivers oil, depends on its operation: buyers and traders estimate stocks at only five to seven days.
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