Saudi Arabia restores East-West pipeline to full capacity following attack

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced that capacity on the East-West pipeline has been fully restored, according to state media reports. The pipeline, which connects Saudi Arabia's eastern oil fields to the Red Sea coast, plays a vital role in the kingdom's crude exports and global energy markets.

The announcement comes after the pipeline sustained damage in an attack last month that had disrupted operations and raised concerns about potential disruptions to global oil supplies. The incident had underscored the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure in the region to security threats.

The 5.8 million barrels per day throughput represents the pipeline's full operational capacity, according to the Energy Minister. The rapid restoration of services underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to maintaining stable energy supplies to international markets.

The East-West pipeline serves as a strategic alternative route for crude exports, reducing reliance on the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint through which most Saudi Arabian oil typically transits. Its restoration to full capacity provides reassurance to global energy markets amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.