AFP reported Monday that a new attack had halted the pipeline, citing a Saudi energy sector source. Bloomberg reported that it was operating normally, citing people familiar with the matter. Satellite imagery provider SoarAtlas subsequently corrected its initial assessment, saying clearer images showed smoke coming from flare stacks outside the pumping station rather than the station itself.
“Within five or six days of the East-West Pipeline being targeted, we began using it,” Prince Abdulaziz said on Saudi state television. The line carried about 7 million BPD before the September attack, and he said measures to ease pressure on the pipes could raise export capacity to about 7 million barrels. Port activity also reflected the recovery: all seven berths at Yanbu and Muajjiz were occupied on Sept. 27, with 12.5 million barrels loaded onto nine tankers in 72 hours, Kpler energy reporter Amena Bakr said.