- Attack carries particular significance because the East-West pipeline has become a critical route for Saudi oil exports since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed during the US-Iran war
- Iraq condemns the attacks, ordered urgent investigation; asks Riyadh to give government opportunity to take measures to prevent attacks from its territory
Saudi Arabia shut down its vital East-West oil pipeline after multiple drone attacks hit pumping stations, raising fresh concerns over the kingdom’s ability to move crude to export terminals as the regional war continues.
Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline was attacked by multiple projectiles and drones on Thursday, prompting the kingdom to shut down the system as a precaution while security and technical teams assessed the damage.
The Saudi Ministry of Energy said the pipeline was subjected to multiple attacks that caused injuries, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said several drones originating from Iraq targeted the pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, causing injuries and damage that is being addressed.
US officials said an initial assessment indicated that pumping stations located alongside the pipeline were hit. Satellite images showed fires and extensive fire damage at, at least one pumping station, although it remained unclear whether sections of the pipeline itself had been damaged.
Saudi Arabia said it had decided not to retaliate at this stage after Iraq’s prime minister asked Riyadh to give the Iraqi government an opportunity to take measures to prevent attacks launched from Iraqi territory.
Iraq condemned the attacks and ordered an urgent investigation into those responsible. The Iraqi government said it would not allow its territory or airspace to be used to launch attacks against Saudi Arabia or undermine the kingdom’s security.
The attack carries particular significance because the East-West pipeline has become a critical route for Saudi oil exports since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed during the US-Iran war. Saudi Arabia has been rerouting about 5 million barrels of oil a day through the pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu instead of sending the crude through the Persian Gulf.
That alternative export route is itself facing growing security risks. Houthi fighters have threatened Saudi ships attempting to pass through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, potentially putting additional pressure on the kingdom’s ability to move oil through the Red Sea.
The duration of the pipeline shutdown and the time required to repair the damage remain unclear. US officials and experts said repairing damaged pumping stations could be less difficult than repairing major damage to the pipeline itself.
The incident comes amid a sharp rise in oil prices, which have moved above $100 a barrel, as the conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt energy markets. Saudi Arabia has also reported to OPEC that its crude oil production fell last month to its lowest level since 1990, adding to the importance of protecting the kingdom’s oil production and export infrastructure.
Responsibility for the attack has not been officially established. However, one US official said the drones originated from Iraq. Iran-aligned militia groups in Iraq have previously used drones to target Saudi Arabia.
The latest strikes therefore add another security challenge for Saudi Arabia’s oil industry at a time when the kingdom is relying heavily on its East-West pipeline to maintain crude exports amid disruptions to the region’s traditional shipping routes.
