Saudi Arabia is evaluating an expansion of its East-West oil pipeline to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for crude exports, according to a report by El Watan.
The infrastructure review comes as the kingdom seeks to secure alternative export routes amid ongoing geopolitical instability in the Persian Gulf.
The move signals a strategic shift in Riyadh’s approach to energy security, prioritizing route diversification over continued dependence on the narrow waterway.
While the Strait remains the primary artery for global oil flows, the potential for disruption has prompted major producers to accelerate contingency planning.
The pipeline extension would allow Saudi Aramco to route more crude to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, bypassing the contested strait entirely.
This development aligns with broader regional efforts to mitigate shipping risks.