Saudi Arabia Restarts Major Oil Pipeline Amid Hormuz Crisis

2026, September 22

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia restarted its East-West oil pipeline after it had been shut down since 13 September following drone attacks. The pipeline is designed to move up to four million barrels of crude per day to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, allowing Saudi exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

The restart, initially at a reduced rate, helped push global oil prices lower as traders assessed whether more exports could resume. The development is significant because the continuing regional confrontation involving Iran, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces has placed one of the world’s most important energy routes under sustained pressure.