Two pumping stations serving Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline sustained damage in an attack last week, according to assessments from three oil and security sector sources. The repair timeline remains unclear.
Saudi Aramco, which operates the 1,200-kilometer pipeline traversing the Arabian Peninsula, did not respond to a request for comment. Saudi Arabia's government media office also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The pipeline temporarily shut down on Friday following a drone attack originating from Iraq, according to Saudi officials. Pumping stations eight and nine were damaged in the attack, the sources said. The pipeline is serviced by 11 pumping stations and two separate pressure relief stations.
The East-West Pipeline has served as a critical export route for Middle Eastern oil over the past six months as the Strait of Hormuz has closed substantially due to conflict in Iran. The pipeline helps relieve congestion caused by the Hormuz closure.
On Friday, the pipeline was temporarily taken offline following the drone strike. On Tuesday, oil loading was suspended at Yanbu port on the Red Sea due to attacks by organizations linked to Iran, according to reports.