Saudi Arabia plans to expand its oil pipeline capacity to 10 million barrels per day within two to three years to strengthen energy security and reduce reliance on exports through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The plan includes upgrading pumping stations on the existing East-West pipeline, which transports crude to the Red Sea, and temporarily converting a natural gas pipeline to carry oil, Bloomberg reports. The converted pipeline could add 1.2 million barrels per day of capacity within seven to eight weeks, potentially increasing to 3 million barrels per day with further investment.
The initiative follows attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure and disruptions linked to regional conflict, highlighting the vulnerability of critical oil shipping routes. By expanding alternative export capacity, Saudi Arabia aims to maintain crude shipments during crises and improve the reliability of global oil supplies. The investment could also help reduce the impact of future disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global energy trade.
