Saudi Arabia

Around the Strait: The Pipelines Gulf Oil Uses When Hormuz Is Shut

Most Gulf oil normally crosses the Strait of Hormuz, while the IEA estimated in February that only 3.5 million to 5.5 million barrels per day could initially bypass it, chiefly through Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline to Yanbu and the UAE’s Habshan-Fujairah pipeline. The usable capacity is uncertain because design ratings, operator claims and reported flows differ: Aramco says Petroline reached 7.0 million b/d, while Saudi Arabia later said flows had recovered to 5.8 million b/d after a September attack, and the IEA estimated total bypass exports at 5.6 million b/d in October.