04 / 10
Saudi Arabia halts oil pipeline after attacks
Saudi Arabia closed its main oil bypass route after drone attacks injured several people.
What happened
Saudi Arabia temporarily shut the East-West Pipeline after multiple drone attacks on Thursday in the Riyadh and Madinah regions. The Energy Ministry called the step precautionary, deployed technical and emergency teams, and said several people were injured and received treatment. Saudi authorities stated the drones were launched from Iraq.
Numbers
- About 7m barrels dailyPipeline's stated daily capacity — Its normal transport capacity
- 1,200 kilometresPipeline length across Saudi Arabia — Across the Arabian Peninsula
- 4–5m barrels dailyRecent estimated daily throughput — Analysts' estimate in recent months
Questions
- What route does it provide?
- It moves crude from Persian Gulf fields to Red Sea terminals, giving Saudi exports a land route around the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why has Saudi Arabia held back?
- Saudi Arabia stated it was allowing Iraq time to prevent further launches, while reserving its right to protect security and facilities.
- What is Iraq doing now?
- Iraq's prime minister ordered an urgent inquiry into the circumstances and responsible parties, with legal action directed against those found responsible.
- What must happen before reopening?
- Technical teams must complete safety assessments and repairs; Saudi authorities have not announced when operations will resume again.
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
The catch
No group has claimed responsibility, and the reporting does not confirm when the pipeline will reopen.
The shutdown was described as precautionary.