April 13, 2026 — Saudi Aramco Restores East-West Pipeline Capacity After Drone Damage.
Critical Bypass Route Back Online
Saudi Arabia has successfully restored the full 7-million-barrel-per-day pumping capacity of its critical East-West Pipeline, according to a Reuters report on April 12, 2026. The pipeline, which connects eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, was damaged by Iranian drone strikes during the early hours of the ceasefire on April 8.
The East-West Pipeline is one of only two major export routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz, making it strategically vital during the current crisis. The UAE's Habshan-Fujairah Pipeline provides the other bypass, with a capacity of approximately 1.5 million bpd. Together, these pipelines can move roughly 6.5 million bpd around the blocked strait — far short of the 21 million bpd that normally transits Hormuz.
Abqaiq Damage Assessment
While the pipeline has been restored, Saudi Aramco's Abqaiq processing facility — the world's largest crude oil stabilization plant — sustained more significant damage than initially reported. Satellite imagery from the European Space Agency confirmed large plumes of black smoke rising from the facility on April 8. Abqaiq processes approximately 5% of global oil supply, and full restoration of its capacity may require weeks of repair work.
Saudi Arabia reported that overall production capacity has been reduced by roughly 600,000 barrels per day due to combined damage from drone and missile attacks during the conflict. The kingdom has drawn on strategic reserves to maintain export commitments to key Asian customers, but the reduced capacity adds to the supply tightness that is supporting elevated crude prices.