{
  "id": 7305554,
  "title": "Asian refiners, awaiting word on Saudi shipments, expect tighter supply",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/asian-refiners-awaiting-word-on-saudi-shipments-expect-tighter-supply",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-14T11:36:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40439424/asian-refiners-awaiting-word-on-saudi-shipments-expect-tighter-supply"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Asian refineries are anticipating a tightening supply of sour crude as they await instructions from Saudi Arabia regarding exports through the Red Sea following attacks on the East-West Pipeline, according to industry insiders. The closure of this pipeline resulted in a 3% increase in oil prices on Monday. Saudi Aramco has not disclosed information on repair timelines or supply allocations, leaving the refineries uncertain about the loading schedules. Some refiners have been informed that loading will face delays, while others remain unaware of any changes to their shipments.\n\nOne refinery source mentioned that loading to the Red Sea port of Yanbu would be delayed, though they were not provided with a specific date. Other refineries expect delays and a tightening of sour crude supplies, with one refinery asserting that higher prices would be necessary as demand increases while supplies remain limited. Indian BPCL and Japan's Taiyo Oil acquire US crude through tenders, with Aramco yet to respond to inquiries for immediate comment.\n\nSaudi Arabia's exports via the Red Sea have been declining in recent months due to the Houthis' blockade in July, which reduced loading at Yanbu to between 500,000 and 1 million barrels per day from about 6 million barrels in June. Some vessels have been loading at the ports without AIS transponders being activated, making it difficult to track the flows. Suezmax-sized tankers Lahore and Aspen were scheduled to load from Yanbu on Monday, and at least one Very Large Crude Carrier, Kenya B, was expected to load in the following days. Most Asian refineries have avoided loading in Yanbu or Egypt's Sidi Kerir due to the Houthi blockade or longer voyage times and higher freight costs. Emma Li, an analyst with ship tracker Vortexa, noted that Chinese refiners have ceased loading from the Red Sea since August, indirectly impacting the impact of the pipeline shutdown on Gulf-to-Asia tanker rates, which have reached record highs.",
  "summary": "NEW DELHI/SINGAPORE: Asian refiners are bracing for tighter supply of sour crude as they await guidance from Saudi Arabia on exports via the Red Sea after attacks on the East-West Pipeline, industry sources said on Monday. Saudi Arabia shut the pipeline after it came under attack on Friday. The shutdown helped push up oil prices by 3% on Monday. Saudi Arabia has not said how long repairs may take…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Business",
        "title": "Satellite images show extent of damage to major Saudi pipeline, amid global oil supply fears",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/satellite-images-show-extent-of-damage-to-major-saudi-pipeline-amid",
        "published": "2026-09-14T02:44:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arabian Business",
        "title": "Saudi Vision 2030: 48 major projects reshaping the kingdom’s economy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/saudi-vision-2030-48-major-projects-reshaping-the-kingdoms-economy",
        "published": "2026-09-14T05:09:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}