Saudi Aramco has halted crude oil shipments to European customers for October after a drone attack damaged the kingdom's critical East-West pipeline.
Key facts
- •Saudi Aramco has suspended all October crude allocations for European customers under long-term contracts.
- •The East-West pipeline was shut down following a drone attack that damaged at least three pumping stations.
- •Partial operations are expected to resume within days, with full capacity targeted for within six weeks.
- •Poland's Orlen SA is actively seeking replacement shipments through multiple tenders.
- •European OECD countries imported 577,000 barrels of Saudi crude per day in June.
Saudi Aramco has informed European refining customers that they will receive no crude oil allocations in October under their long-term supply agreements. The decision follows a drone attack that forced the shutdown of the kingdom's key East-West pipeline last week. While the company aims to resume partial operations within days and reach full capacity within six weeks, the disruption has left European buyers scrambling to secure alternative supplies.
By the numbers
Pipeline Damage and Operational Impact
The East-West pipeline, which serves as a vital alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, was struck by drones, leading to a complete shutdown. While initial reports from oil and security sources indicated damage to two pumping stations, a satellite imagery analysis identified damage at three separate stations. Saudi Aramco is currently working to restore the infrastructure, with full capacity expected to be reached in approximately six weeks.
Market Consequences for European Refiners
European refineries typically receive Saudi crude via the pipeline at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Sidi Kerir. The suspension of these shipments has forced buyers to seek replacements, with Poland’s Orlen SA issuing more than 10 tenders to secure alternative crude. The supply gap has already impacted regional prices, with Dated Brent, the European benchmark, briefly exceeding US$130 per barrel this week. In June, OECD countries in Europe imported 577,000 barrels per day of Saudi crude.
Timeline
- September 10, 2026Satellite imagery shows smoke rising from the East-West pipeline area.
- September 11, 2026The East-West pipeline is struck by a drone attack.
- September 16, 2026A source familiar with the matter reports on the timeline for restarting the pipeline.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Straits Times World, Jerusalem Post.
