U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that Saudi Arabia's crucial East-West Pipeline is anticipated to resume operations within days, following temporary closure due to attacks by Iran-aligned groups.
Speaking to CNBC on Tuesday, Wright indicated that while a full assessment is ongoing, the pipeline's restoration is expected to be a matter of days. He added that Saudi Arabia is implementing measures, with U.S. military assistance, to redirect oil exports away from the Strait of Hormuz.
Estimates regarding the pipeline's downtime have varied among sources. One assessment suggested that repairs could take between five to six weeks, while another indicated a potentially quicker resolution, with partial pumping resuming during repair work.
The 1,200-km East-West Pipeline, a critical artery for global oil supplies from the Middle East, has been instrumental in rerouting shipments over the past six months amid significant disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. The pipeline was reportedly transporting between 4 million and 5 million barrels of crude oil daily, representing approximately 4% to 5% of the global supply.
Sources revealed on Monday that Washington has maintained its stance of providing intelligence support rather than direct military intervention in response to Saudi Arabia's requests. President Donald Trump confirmed over the weekend that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and noted that Iran-aligned Houthis, who have conducted missile and drone attacks from Yemen, had also communicated with Washington, urging non-involvement in the dispute.
