East-West Pipeline
The East-West Pipeline is Saudi Arabia's most critical energy infrastructure, designed to bypass the vulnerable Strait of Hormuz by transporting crude oil from eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
The East-West Pipeline, also known as the Petroline, is a 1,200-kilometer strategic artery that serves as the backbone of Saudi Arabia's energy export resilience. Capable of transporting approximately 5 million barrels of crude oil per day, the pipeline connects the Kingdom's primary production centers in the Eastern Province to the Yanbu terminal on the Red Sea. Its primary purpose is to provide a secure alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime chokepoint frequently threatened by Iranian naval activity and regional instability. In recent years, the pipeline has become a high-priority target for Iranian-backed proxies. In September 2026, the infrastructure suffered significant kinetic damage from multiple drone strikes launched from Iraqi territory. These attacks targeted critical pumping stations, including facilities at Al-Duwadmi and Afif, leading to a temporary suspension of oil flow. The resulting disruption forced Saudi Aramco to cancel major crude shipments to Europe and raised concerns that the Kingdom could lose up to 4% of global oil export capacity if repairs are delayed. The vulnerability of this pipeline directly impacts global energy security, with analysts warning that prolonged outages could drive Brent crude prices above $120 per barrel. For Israel and the broader region, the security of the East-West Pipeline is a barometer for the reach of the Iranian 'Axis of Resistance' and its ability to disrupt global markets from multiple fronts, including Iraq and Yemen.