Story perspectives

Saudi Restarts East-West Pipeline After Nine-Day Shutdown

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 3:06 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Saudi Arabia Restarts Pipeline

Saudi Arabia has restarted the East-West oil pipeline, ending a nine-day shutdown.
Saudi Aramco is targeting roughly 4 million barrels per day on the pipeline.
Full restoration to 7 million-barrel capacity may require six to eight weeks.
European term customers were told they will receive zero Saudi crude in October.
Brent crude fell more than $2 per barrel, trading around $97-$98, its lowest since September 8.

Summary

Iraq Minister Accuses Saudi

Iraqi Oil Minister Basim Mohammed claimed Saudi Arabia bought 25 oil tankers valued at $4.5 billion.
He said the purchases raised transport costs from $26 to $37 per barrel.
Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry denied the claim, calling the report inaccurate.
The ministry attributed higher shipping rates to regional conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions.

Summary

MBS Launches EXOBOT

CEER unveiled Saudi Arabia’s first domestically produced electric vehicle, the EXOBOT, on 21 September 2026.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch, calling the automotive sector a core growth engine.
CEER, a joint venture between the Public Investment Fund and Taiwan’s Foxconn, licenses key component technology from BMW.
CEER aims to create 35,000 jobs by 2034 and begin mass production in Q4 2026.

History

Historical Context

In October 1973 OAPEC embargoed the United States and allies after U.S. arms shipments to Israel, cutting Middle-East oil exports by up to 70% and pushing crude from about $3 to $12 per barrel by 1974. Saudi Arabia now reopens the East-West pipeline and, in 2026, launches the EXOBOT EV line backed by the Public Investment Fund, Foxconn and BMW.

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Saudi Arabia Restarts Pipeline

Saudi Arabia has restarted the East-West oil pipeline, ending a nine-day shutdown.
Saudi Aramco is targeting roughly 4 million barrels per day on the pipeline.
Full restoration to 7 million-barrel capacity may require six to eight weeks.
European term customers were told they will receive zero Saudi crude in October.
Brent crude fell more than $2 per barrel, trading around $97-$98, its lowest since September 8.

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