Gaza Herald – Saudi Aramco has notified European refineries that it will not supply crude oil in October, according to Bloomberg. The decision follows disruptions to the East-West Pipeline leading to the Red Sea.
The US agency cited unnamed sources stating Aramco informed at least two companies about the suspension. This move comes as Riyadh attempts to restore half of the pipeline’s operational capacity within days.
The infrastructure was halted last week after drone attacks originating from Iraq caused significant damage. On September 3, Saudi authorities confirmed the pipeline suffered an attack by drones from Iraq, resulting in injuries.
Following the incident, Saudi Arabia stopped operations on the line as a precautionary measure. This action followed multiple strikes targeting areas near Riyadh and Medina, raising concerns about regional security stability.
The shutdown threatens exports reaching millions of barrels daily. Global markets are currently experiencing increased demand for supplies amid rising geopolitical tensions affecting energy flows.
Crude prices have surpassed 107 dollars in the London market. The disruption highlights vulnerabilities in critical energy infrastructure connecting production hubs to international shipping routes.
Aramco has not provided immediate comment regarding the specific details of the notification sent to European clients. The company continues to assess the extent of the damage to the affected sections.
Restoration efforts are underway to resume normal operations. Authorities aim to minimize the impact on global energy markets while ensuring the safety of remaining personnel involved in repair works.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
