Saudi Arabia has achieved a historic milestone by operating its East-West oil pipeline at full capacity for the first time. This development is seen as a strategic move to mitigate the impacts of the ongoing energy crisis linked to operations against Iran.
As of March 28, industry sources report that the pipeline, which stretches 1,200 kilometers and was constructed in 1981 to counter potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, is transporting seven million barrels of oil per day. This figure marks a record high for the pipeline.
Of the total volume, approximately five million barrels are directed for export through terminals at the Yanbu port on the Red Sea, while the remainder is allocated to domestic refineries. To facilitate this increase, Aramco completed the conversion of adjacent lines for crude oil transportation in early March.
While the Petroline pipeline cannot entirely replace maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz, it serves as a crucial conduit for the global economy. It enables oil to flow directly from the Persian Gulf fields to the Red Sea. In comparison, alternative routes, such as the ADCOP pipeline in the UAE, which has a capacity of 1.5 million barrels per day, are significantly less capable.
However, the infrastructure remains vulnerable. The pipeline has previously been targeted in drone attacks by Houthi forces from Yemen. Additionally, the route to the Red Sea is now also at risk due to rising tensions in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
Moreover, a logistical challenge exists as the pipeline’s capacity of seven million barrels per day exceeds the loading capabilities of the Yanbu port, creating a bottleneck in the supply chain.
Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline has reached full operational capacity, transporting seven million barrels per day. This move aims to address the energy crisis while highlighting existing vulnerabilities in the infrastructure and logistical challenges at the Yanbu port.