Saudi Arabia’s Oil Exports Are Recovering Despite Regional Attacks: Can Riyadh Keep Global Energy Markets Stable?
Every time you fill your tank, a drone strike thousands of miles away can quietly touch your wallet. That’s the tension hanging over the Gulf right now.
What Went Wrong
Saudi Arabia shut down its 7 million barrel-a-day East-West pipeline as a precaution after drone attacks. The line matters because the kingdom has leaned on this Red Sea route since the US-Iran conflict disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Latest: A Real Comeback
The rebound is real, if uneven. Kpler’s early data shows Saudi exports back above 4 million barrels a day in September, up from 2.4 million in August. Tanker loading at Yanbu restarted around September 22–24, though full repairs could take six to eight weeks.
Aramco also shifted course. Shipments through Hormuz averaged 2.9 million barrels a day over six days, versus 700,000 in August.
Why It Matters to You
The pipeline has been moving roughly 4 million barrels a day, about 4% of global supply. Meanwhile, Saudi crude mostly heads to Asia, with China taking about a quarter. Any slip here can push up fuel and shipping costs worldwide.
What Analysts Are Saying
JPMorgan analysts called the Middle East flows surprisingly strong despite the pipeline disruption. Still, calm isn’t guaranteed. The Houthis say they’ve targeted an Aramco facility in Yanbu and sites in Riyadh. Responsibility for the pipeline strike is also unclear, since Saudi authorities blamed Iraqi militia-linked actors.
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