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    Saudi Arabia Shuts Down East-West Pipeline After Houthi Drone Attacks

    Section editor: ·Low6 articles covering this·4 news sources·Updated an hour ago·MENA
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    A map highlighting the East-West pipeline route and its significance to global oil supply.

    What happened

    Saudi Arabia shut down its East-West pipeline after drone attacks attributed to Houthi militants, threatening about 4% of global oil supply.

    The Context

    • Pipeline Importance: The East-West pipeline is Saudi Arabia's primary export route, crucial for bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
    • Regional Conflict: The ongoing conflict involving Iran and Houthi forces has escalated since February 2026, leading to increased attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure.
    • Market Reaction: Brent crude prices have surged above $107 per barrel, with forecasts suggesting they could reach $120 if disruptions continue.

    The Number

    4%

    of global oil supply is at risk from the prolonged East-West pipeline outage, which could lead to significant price increases affecting global markets.

    Takeaway

    If the pipeline remains offline, expect continued volatility in oil prices and potential supply chain disruptions.

    6 Articles
    The New York Times

    Global Oil Prices Could Hit Highest Levels in Months After Saudi Pipeline Attacks

    Global oil prices are poised to reach their highest levels in months following attacks on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline, which have raised concerns about the security of oil export routes, particularly through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Prolonged ...

    14 hours ago
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    The Wall Street Journal

    Oil Prices Rise as Middle East Supply Concerns Persist

    Oil prices have surged to four-month highs due to the shutdown of Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline and ongoing threats from Houthi rebels against shipping in the Red Sea, creating significant supply concerns in the Middle East.

    The Wall Street Journal

    Oil Prices Rise as Middle East Supply Concerns Persist

    Oil prices have surged to four-month highs due to the shutdown of Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline and ongoing threats from Houthi militants against shipping in the Red Sea. This situation has heightened concerns regarding the stability of oil suppl...

    The Wall Street Journal

    Oil Prices Rise as Saudi East-West Pipeline Attack Threatens Export Routes

    Oil prices have surged following the shutdown of Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline due to attacks by Houthi militants, which has heightened concerns over the security of oil export routes in the region. This closure comes amid escalating tensions in ...

    Al-Monitor

    Saudi pipeline shutdown exposes shrinking global oil-supply buffers

    Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its East-West Pipeline following multiple drone attacks attributed to Iraqi territory, leading to a tightening of global oil supply and a surge in oil prices to their highest levels since May.

    Saudi Gazette

    Oil surges past $108 as Hormuz attack and Saudi pipeline shutdown rattle markets

    Oil prices surged past $108 per barrel following recent attacks on Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, raising supply concerns. Brent crude futures increased by 3.3%, while the US benchmark WTI rose by 2.3%, exten...