Saudi Arabia to expand Red Sea oil pipeline

Saudi Arabia is considering increasing the capacity of its main crude oil pipeline that runs along the Red Sea coast, Dubai-based media outlet Al Arabiya reported.

If the expansion project is implemented, Saudi Arabia and potentially its neighboring countries will be able to safely transport more fuel without having to use the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the latest information, the east-west pipeline, which was built in the early 1980s, has become very important in recent times. Especially since the Iran-Iraq war broke out last February and the resulting closure of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the importance of this route.

Currently, the pipeline can transport up to 7 million barrels of crude oil per day to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. The CEO of state-owned oil company Aramco said in May that about 2 million barrels of this oil are supplied to refineries on the West Coast and the remaining 5 million barrels are used for export.

Sources said that Saudi Arabia has already started preliminary discussions with some of its neighbors to increase the pipeline's capacity by another 2 million barrels. Experts believe that this step will play a major role in maintaining the Middle East's energy security and supply system.

Source: Al-Arabiya.