Saudi East-West pipeline becomes critical Asia supply route
The pipeline from eastern fields to Yanbu now moves over 5 million barrels per day, with China, South Korea, Japan, and India as top buyers.
Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline has emerged as a vital artery for Asian crude supply. The 746-mile link transports oil from the kingdom's eastern fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
In May, China was the largest customer, importing about 774,000 barrels per day from Yanbu. South Korea followed with around 645,000 bpd, Japan with 452,000 bpd, and India with 387,000 bpd. Together, these four nations accounted for roughly 2.26 million bpd, or more than half of all exports through the port.
Total flows through Yanbu have surged to over 5 million bpd, up from an estimated 1–2 million bpd in February, underscoring the route's growing importance for Asian energy security.
Source: The Kobeissi Letter