The growing tension in the Middle East and the interruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have brought to the fore alternative energy infrastructures built by the main producers in the Gulf to reduce their dependence on that strategic route. These include the “East-West Pipeline” (Saudi Arabia), an oil pipeline that allows Saudi Arabia to export oil to the Red Sea without having to cross the
strait.The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the most sensitive points in the global energy system. Between 17 and 20 million barrels of oil pass through this maritime corridor daily, which represents approximately one fifth of the world's supply. Due to its closeness and its proximity to Iran, the passage has become a tool of geopolitical pressure in
times of crisis.Faced with this vulnerability, Saudi Arabia developed an infrastructure during the 1980s aimed at ensuring the continuity of its exports in the event of interruption of maritime traffic. The system, operated by Saudi Aramco, connects oil fields in the east of the country with the port of Yanbu, located on the Red Sea coast, through a network of pipelines of approximately
1,200 kilometers in length.After several expansions, the pipeline currently has a total capacity of up to 7 million barrels per day. However, not all of this volume is destined for exports, since around 2 million barrels a day are used to supply refineries within the country. This leaves approximately 5 million barrels potentially available for overseas shipments through the port of Yanbu
.
However, there are logistical limitations. The carrying capacity of the Yanbu oil terminals is estimated at around 4 million barrels per day, making port infrastructure the main bottleneck in the system. In addition, historical export levels from that port have been significantly lower, indicating that reaching the theoretical maximum would require operational and logistical adjustments
