Saudi Arabia Crude Oil Exports Hit Highest Level Since Iran War Began Despite Pipeline Outage
Saudi exports are rising despite escalating attacks on its infrastructure from Iran-backed militants in Yemen and Iraq.
TL;DR
- Saudi Arabia's crude oil exports reached 6 million barrels per day in September, the highest since the Iran war began.
- Shipments recovered to the monthly average of 2025.
- Exports surged despite damage to the East-West oil pipeline from a drone attack.
- The East-West pipeline acted as a bypass for the Strait of Hormuz, crucial during earlier tanker attacks.
- Brent crude prices increased to nearly $110 per barrel after the pipeline shut but have since pulled back.
- Saudi Arabia has redirected exports through the Strait of Hormuz, aided by a U.S. military-carved shipping lane.
- Oil exports through Hormuz reached a seven-day average of 13.2 million bpd.
- Industry sources indicate the East-West pipeline has restarted at low volumes.
- Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser stated that "temporary interruptions" to oil infrastructure usually last "days, not weeks or months."