Saudi Arabia Increases Oil Flows Through East-West Pipeline to 6 Million Barrels

Bloomberg - Saudi Arabia has raised oil flows through its main pipeline that crosses its territory to more than 80 percent of its capacity, with available export volumes from the kingdom’s western coast reaching their highest levels since the outbreak of the war, amid reduced supplies directed to local refineries. Aramco is pumping approximately 6 million barrels per day through the East-West pipeline.

After accounting for supplies directed to refineries on Saudi Arabia’s western coast, the company now has export-available flows of around 4.5 million barrels per day.

The company rapidly increased supplies through the pipeline, which has a capacity of 7 million barrels per day, after it was operating at about half capacity earlier this week. The pipeline has served as a vital corridor for sustaining oil flows during the war with Iran, enabling Saudi Arabia to export around 4 million barrels via the Red Sea earlier this year, without relying on risky shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, the Group of Seven (G7) countries plan to release up to 100 million barrels of emergency oil and diesel reserves, following pressure from the Trump administration to ease rising fuel prices.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who holds the G7 presidency, told journalists that the release, coordinated by the International Energy Agency (IEA), will take place over the next four months, adding that the G7 aims to push fuel prices down.

The decision comes after the United States warned of the possibility of imposing a ban on diesel exports that could have severe repercussions if European countries do not release additional supplies.