Saudi Arabia could exhaust its oil export reserves within five to seven days unless it restores operations on its main East-West pipeline, according to Reuters sources, potentially removing up to 4% of global supply from the market.
Saudi Arabia risks depleting its crude export stockpiles within five to seven days if it fails to bring its primary East-West pipeline back online, Reuters reported citing industry sources. The shutdown threatens to pull roughly 4 million barrels per day — approximately 4% of global oil supply — off the market.
The 1,200-kilometer pipeline, which runs from the kingdom's eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, serves as a critical alternative export route bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. State-owned Saudi Aramco has relied on the link to maintain export flows while other infrastructure undergoes maintenance or faces disruption.
Sources familiar with the repair effort gave conflicting timelines. One source estimated full repairs could take five to six weeks, while another suggested the work might be completed sooner, with partial pumping potentially resuming during the restoration process. The cause of the shutdown was not disclosed.
The potential supply loss comes at a sensitive time for global oil markets, which have been balancing OPEC+ production cuts against demand uncertainty. Any prolonged disruption could tighten physical markets and support prices, though Saudi Arabia holds significant spare capacity that could be deployed through alternative channels if needed.
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