Saudi East-West Oil Pipeline Shut After Drone Attacks

Saudi Arabia has shut down its main East–West crude pipeline (Petroline) as a precautionary measure following multiple drone attacks in the Riyadh and Medina regions in September 2026. The line is the primary route carrying crude from the Kingdom’s eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.

Pumping was halted to secure the targeted sites and allow safety inspections of the pipeline, pumping stations, and operating systems. Stretching about 1,200 km, the pipeline has a maximum capacity of around 7 million barrels with recent actual flows of roughly 4–5 million barrels per day — equivalent to about 4–5% of global oil supply.

With the line out of service, crude stocks at Yanbu are estimated to cover only about 5–7 days of normal export volumes. That places exports equivalent to up to 4% of global supply at risk if flows are not restored within days. Additional Saudi crude is available for several days at the Egyptian ports of Ain Sukhna on the Red Sea and Sidi Kerir on the Mediterranean to keep supplying customers.

Repair estimates vary widely, ranging from partial pumping resuming sooner to around 5–6 weeks for full repairs, creating uncertainty over how long the disruption may last. The East–West pipeline has been the main conduit for Saudi crude reaching the Red Sea amid the ongoing disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, so its outage removes a key alternative route to global markets.

For residents and businesses across the Kingdom, the immediate impact is expected to be felt mainly through global oil markets rather than local services. There are no customer-facing procedures or e-government steps tied to the shutdown, with the situation being managed internally by the relevant authorities and operators.

---

Stay updated with the latest news, events, sports updates, business insights, real estate and lifestyle stories on Saudi Living — the leading online platform for residents, expats, and visitors in Saudi Arabia.

Follow Saudi Living for daily updates:

• Instagram - @saudiliving
• X - @saudiliving
• Facebook - @saudiliving
• YouTube - @saudiliving