Saudi Arabia shuts East-West oil pipeline after damages suffered in drone attacks
New Delhi, Sept 13: After facing multiple drone attacks, Saudi Arabia has temporarily shut down its major East-West oil pipeline which suffered damages in its pumping facilities.
The pipeline, built in the 1980s, is a major part of Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure and provides an alternative route for transporting crude to the Red Sea.
The Saudi Ministry of Energy said the pipeline was shut down as a precautionary measure after multiple drones targeted the route.
US officials told CNN that the attack damaged pump stations along the pipeline. Satellite imagery also appeared to show extensive fire damage at one pumping station, while a separate image showed black smoke rising from another location following the strikes.
The East-West pipeline, also known as the Petroline, carries crude from Saudi Arabia’s oil-producing regions in the east towards terminals on the Red Sea coast. Its use allows the kingdom to reduce its reliance on routes through the Strait of Hormuz for some of its exports.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said several drones originating from Iraq attacked the pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions.
The ministry said the strikes caused injuries and damage to the infrastructure, adding that repair work was underway to address the impact.
The ministry condemned the attack as regional tensions remain high amid the broader conflict involving Iran.
The reported seizure by Yemen’s Houthi rebels of a strategically important island near the entrance to the Red Sea has also added to concerns over the security of vital energy and shipping routes. (BVI)
