Saudi Arabias Key Oil Pipeline Returns to Full Capacity After Attacks

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy has announced that the East-West pipeline is now operating at full capacity, pumping approximately seven million barrels of oil per day. The statement comes after a period of disruption caused by attacks on the pipeline and nearby oilfields.

According to officials, production at the Manifa oilfield, located off the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, has been restored to its full capacity of around 300,000 barrels per day following damage from the attacks. However, authorities are still working to restore output at the Khurais oilfield, which suffered a loss of 300,000 barrels per day in capacity.

The East-West pipeline, which connects the Abqaiq oilfield to the city of Yanbu on the Red Sea, has become an important route for global oil supplies. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has significantly impacted oil transportation, leading to a surge in energy prices worldwide.

The Ministry of Energy stated that the restoration of the pipeline reflects the operational resilience and crisis management efficiency of Saudi Aramco and the Kingdom’s energy ecosystem. The statement also noted that the recovery enhances the reliability and continuity of supplies to local and global markets.

It is worth noting that attacks on a pumping station for the East-West pipeline had reduced daily output by 700,000 barrels per day, according to reports from the Saudi Press Agency. However, no blame has been attributed for the attacks.

Source: Al Jazeera