Saudi Arabia has proactively shut down its strategic East-West oil pipelines following several attacks in the Riyadh and Medina regions. The country's Ministry of Energy announced on Friday that these attacks occurred on Thursday morning and resulted in several injuries. Those who were injured received medical care.
Immediate Measures to Ensure Safety
According to an official source in the Ministry of Energy, emergency and technical teams immediately responded to the incident site and took measures to secure the pipeline and assess its safety in accordance with safety procedures and emergency response plans. These actions were carried out in coordination with the relevant authorities.
The Ministry of Energy also stated that further developments in this regard will be communicated soon. The closure of this pipeline is particularly significant due to its importance in meeting the country's oil needs, especially during regional crises.
Strategic Alternative to the Strait of Hormuz
The East-West oil pipelines are recognized as a key route for Saudi Arabia's crude oil exports. Given the onset of war between the United States and Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has been transferring an average of about 5 million barrels of oil daily, which would typically be sent from oil terminals in the Persian Gulf, through this pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
This pipeline enables Saudi Arabia to transport crude oil produced in the eastern part of the country to export facilities on the Red Sea. This action is vital not only for meeting domestic needs but also for maintaining Saudi Arabia's position as one of the largest oil exporters in the world.
