Al Jazara
روایت خاورمیانه 
The 1,200-kilometer East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia, which was targeted by drone attacks yesterday (Thursday), has been temporarily shut down. This pipeline, which has a capacity to transport about 4 to 5 million barrels of oil per day, could have significant impacts on the global oil market.
Details of the Attack and Current Situation
The drone attacks occurred in two areas around Riyadh and Medina, resulting in infrastructure damage and injuries in these regions. The Saudi Ministry of Energy has stated that this shutdown was implemented as a precautionary measure. Given the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz and recent conflicts in the region, this pipeline is considered a vital route for Saudi oil exports.
Read more: Iran and the Houthis: A Serious Threat to Global Maritime Routes
Recent attacks come at a time when oil flows from the Strait of Hormuz have significantly decreased, and Houthi forces in Yemen have also intensified their attacks around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. This situation has led Saudi Arabia to increasingly rely on the East-West pipeline.
Consequences of the Pipeline Shutdown
The shutdown of the East-West pipeline occurs at a critical time for the global oil market. Before the war began, the Strait of Hormuz supplied more than one-fifth of the world's oil, and now, according to estimates, oil flow from this strait has decreased to 6 to 9 million barrels per day.
Currently, Saudi Arabia can use existing reserves in Yanbu to meet its export needs for about 5 to 7 days. However, the decline in global oil reserves due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea has raised concerns for the future of the oil market. Predictions indicate that if the damage to the pipeline is significant, Saudi Arabia may face challenges in compensating for its oil exports.
Analysts warn that if the pipeline remains shut down, oil prices could rise sharply and reach $150 per barrel. Depending on the circumstances, Saudi Arabia may face serious economic consequences due to this shutdown.
Read more: The U.S. Announced the Clearing of Traffic in Hormuz and Oil Prices Rose Above $100 · Political Deadlock in Negotiations and Its Impact on Iran's Oil Production
