Saudi Arabia closes its East-West pipeline after several attacks
This infrastructure is the main supply route for global markets in the current context of tension in the Strait of Hormuz, which can transport up to seven million barrels of crude oil a day.
Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure. Photo: Agencies
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Energy announced on Friday the "preventive" closure of the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions following several drone attacks from Iraq that have resulted in several injuries and material damage.
According to the ministry, the pipeline is the main oil export route to global markets in the current tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz, which suffered "multiple attacks" on Thursday morning, so it has been closed as a precautionary measure.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the attacks and clarified that, following a request from Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Saudi Arabia has decided not to respond for the time being to allow the Iraqi Government to take the necessary measures to prevent attacks from its own territory against the kingdom and neighbouring countries.
However, Riyadh has reiterated its "right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, facilities, citizens and residents."
For its part, the Iraqi Government has condemned the attacks and appreciated "the Kingdom's attitude and Iraq's positive response to its efforts to contain the situation."
Saudi Arabia has previously denounced attacks by pro-Iranian militias from Iraqi territory on oil installations in Riyadh and the Eastern Region, in response to which it launched a joint attack with the United States in late July.
What are the characteristics of the pipeline?
Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, also known as Petroline , is a strategic infrastructure that crosses the country from the eastern oil fields in the Persian Gulf to Yanbu Port in the Red Sea.
It is approximately 1,200 kilometres long and has a maximum capacity of seven million barrels per day.
It is of great importance today because it allows crude oil to be exported by bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, which led Saudi Arabia to increase its use to divert exports to Yanbu and mitigate the impact of the blockade and shipping restrictions.
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