The tactical shift is part of a broader plan to increase total pipeline bypass capacity to 10 million barrels a day from a nominal 7 million barrels a day within 3 years via upgrades to the East-West pipeline. Aramco CEO Amin Nasser is also expanding overseas storage and studying new export routes to mitigate pressure on the energy chain. These measures follow ongoing Houthi attacks on energy infrastructure and a September drone strike that disrupted the East-West pipeline, which was transporting 5.8 million barrels a day as of Oct. 6.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Saudi Adds 1.2M BPD Export Flow Via Gas Pipe Conversion
Commodities7 days ago
The Saudi government will move more of its crude oil shipments through land-based routes to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said. The kingdom will convert a natural gas pipeline to carry crude to ports outside the Persian Gulf, adding 1.2 million barrels a day of export capacity within 7 to 8 weeks. This arrangement is temporary and the pipeline must revert to gas service by May to feed power plants during the summer months, though further investment could raise this converted line's capacity to 3 million barrels a day.
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