Saudi Arabia activated a strategic oil pipeline that could unlock the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz

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

.

The executive director of Saudi Aramco, Amin Nasser, recently warned that the current crisis represents the biggest challenge the regional oil industry has faced. As he noted, a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz could cause serious consequences for the global energy market

.

Recent data reflect the potential impact of interruptions in the strait. Before the conflict, Gulf ports could carry up to about 20 million barrels a day. However, in some recent days that volume has fallen to approximately 3 million barrels due to difficulties with maritime traffic

.

Saudi Arabia isn't the only country that has developed alternative routes to bypass the strait. The United Arab Emirates has the “Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline”, an oil pipeline that connects the Abu Dhabi oil fields to the port of Fujairah, on the Sea of Oman. This system has an estimated capacity of between 1.5 and 1.8 million barrels per day and allows crude oil to be exported without going through the Strait of Hormuz

.

Together, these infrastructures could divert a significant part of the Gulf's oil flow in the event of a crisis, although analysts warn that they would not be sufficient to fully replace the volume that normally crosses the strait.

The situation is also having direct effects on energy markets. Oil prices have fluctuated strongly since the beginning of the crisis, reflecting investor concern about a possible prolonged supply interruption

.