Saudi Arabia restarts East-West Pipeline, Yanbu crude shipments set to resume

September 22, 2026 (MLN): Saudi Arabia has restarted its East-West Pipeline and could resume crude exports from the Red Sea port of Yanbu later on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

The pipeline has resumed operations at a low pumping rate, while Saudi Aramco is seeking to gradually raise the flow to around 4 million barrels per day, according to sources cited by Reuters.

The East-West Pipeline was shut following drone attacks on September 13, which also disrupted crude loadings at Yanbu. The pipeline is used by Saudi Arabia to reroute around 4 million barrels per day of crude to Yanbu, equivalent to roughly 4% of global oil supply.

The restart of the pipeline contributed to selling pressure in global oil markets, with Brent crude futures falling by more than $2 per barrel to their lowest level since September 8, traders said.

The pipeline’s resumption is also expected to restore crude supplies to Saudi Aramco refineries along the Red Sea coast. One crude cargo was scheduled to load at Yanbu later on Tuesday and was expected to be shipped to China, according to Reuters.

Saudi Aramco had not immediately responded to a request for comment.

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