Saudi Arabia Shuts East-West Oil Pipeline After Drone Attack

September 12, 2026

News summary: Reuters reported Saudi Arabia temporarily shut its 1,200-km East-West pipeline after a drone attack. The route had been carrying about 4 million to 5 million bpd and bypassing the largely disrupted Strait of Hormuz.

Market context: Loss of a major bypass route shifted attention to Red Sea stocks, Yanbu loading capacity, alternative terminals, freight and contract-performance risk.