Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Saudi Aramco Plans Partial East-West Pipeline Restart After Houthi Strikes
Saudi Arabia has an important oil pipeline that carries crude across the country to the Red Sea.
The pipeline was shut after drones allegedly linked to the Houthis attacked it.
The damage was first thought to take weeks to repair.
Now, Saudi Aramco may restart about half of the pipeline within days.
The pipeline helps Saudi Arabia send oil to customers without using the Strait of Hormuz.
Some European oil shipments were reportedly cancelled or delayed.
Saudi Arabia has also arranged oil sales to Asian refiners.
The reports say the Houthis and Saudi Arabia have been in conflict, but the full damage and repair timeline are not yet certain.
Saudi Aramco may restore about half of the East-West Pipeline’s capacity within days, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The 1,200-kilometer pipeline runs to Yanbu on the Red Sea and was shut after an alleged Houthi drone attack launched from inside Iraq.
The damage was initially expected to keep the pipeline closed for weeks, but its full extent remains unclear.
Saudi Arabia reportedly cancelled some September crude cargoes for European customers and suspended loadings at Yanbu.
Saudi Arabia has sold about 20 million barrels to Asian refiners for September and October pickup, according to traders cited by Bloomberg.
- Who
- Saudi Aramco and Saudi Arabia were affected; the attack was allegedly carried out by Houthi drones launched from inside Iraq.
- What
- The East-West oil pipeline was shut after a drone attack, and Saudi Aramco is reportedly preparing to restore about half its capacity.
- When
- The attack occurred on Friday; reports on the possible restart and resulting shipment changes followed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Where
- The pipeline runs across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
- Why
- The pipeline was shut because of damage from the alleged drone attack, disrupting oil shipments and prompting Saudi Arabia to seek alternative export arrangements.
Saudi Arabia and Aramco
Houthis
Pipeline and oil shipments
Saudi Arabia and Aramco
Saudi Arabia shut the pipeline after the alleged attack and is reportedly working to restore part of its capacity while arranging alternative crude shipments.
Houthis
The Houthis have been accused of launching the drone attack and had previously imposed a maritime embargo targeting vessels linked to Saudi ports or oil shipments.
Regional conflict
Saudi Arabia and Aramco
Saudi Arabia is attempting to maintain oil exports despite attacks and restrictions affecting routes through the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz.
Houthis
The Iran-backed Houthis control territory in Yemen and have conducted actions that Saudi Arabia and other parties say threaten shipping and oil movements.
- Pipeline
- East-West Pipeline
- Length
- 1,200 kilometers
- Destination
- Yanbu, a Red Sea port
- Expected restart
- About half of capacity, potentially within days
- European shipments
- Some September-loading crude cargoes were reportedly cancelled
- Asian sales
- About 20 million barrels sold to Asian refiners for September and October pickup
- Initial repair estimate
- The shutdown was initially expected to last for weeks