Particle.news
Download on the App Store

With Hormuz Still Closed, Saudi Restores East–West Pipeline to Full Capacity

The repair shifts more Saudi crude to Red Sea ports during a fragile truce.

Overview

  • Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said Sunday the East–West line is pumping about 7 million barrels a day again, with Manifa’s 300,000 bpd output restored and repairs continuing at Khurais.
  • The overland pipe moves oil to the Red Sea and bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic remains sparse, with S&P Global counting only 22 ship exits between Wednesday and Friday versus about 135 per day before the war.
  • Officials last week tallied cuts of roughly 600,000 bpd in Saudi production and 700,000 bpd on the pipeline after strikes, and Reuters reported the line was hit hours after a ceasefire, though Riyadh has not named the attacker.
  • Iran says it aims to bring most damaged refining and fuel distribution back to 70–80% within one to two months, with part of the Lavan refinery targeted to restart in about 10 days.
  • Analysts note a single pipe at 7 million bpd cannot replace lost Gulf flows while Hormuz stays constrained, so insurers and shippers remain cautious and full energy trade may take months to normalize.