What is Saudi Arabia’s East-West Pipeline, and why does the attack on it matter?

Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its East-West oil pipeline following drone attacks on Thursday, raising concerns about global oil supplies already disrupted by the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. The pipeline, operated by Saudi Aramco, connects the Abqaiq oil processing center in the east to the Red Sea port of Yanbu in the west, with a capacity of 7 million barrels per day, of which around 5 million bpd can be exported.

This strategic route becomes crucial when shipping through the Hormuz Strait is hindered, serving as a vital safety valve for global oil supplies. The attacks, likely originating from Iraq where Iranian-backed militias are active, caused fires at pumping stations and resulted in multiple injuries. The full extent of the damage and the duration of the shutdown remains unknown.

The pipeline's shutdown comes amid a broader conflict involving Yemen's Houthis, who recently seized Mayun Island and the port city of Mokha, further complicating shipping through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.