Misbar Tracks Field Changes Near Saudi East-West Pipeline Station Ahead of Resumption of Operations

Recent satellite imagery shows field changes and earthworks around one of the pumping stations along Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, following attacks that targeted the pipeline and stations along its route.

A comparison of the imagery reveals changes in the darkened area and traces of damage surrounding the station, alongside excavation and soil-leveling works and areas that appear to have been newly prepared on the southern side of the site.

These indicators coincide with reports that the pipeline has begun operating at a low rate, in preparation for resuming oil supplies through Yanbu Port on the Red Sea coast. The imagery alone does not establish the nature of the work or whether it is directly related to cleanup or repair operations, but it documents field changes that are chronologically consistent with efforts to rehabilitate the site.

Key Changes in the Pipeline Area

Images from September 14, 17, and 22 show changes in the shape and size of the darkened area, as well as new tracks and earthworks around the station. A comparison of the September 17 and 22 images also reveals extensive excavation and soil-leveling operations, along with newly prepared areas on the southern side.

The comparison between the images reveals extensive excavation and soil-leveling operations and the preparation of new areas on the southern side.

According to the official account, the attacks occurred on the morning of September 10, involving drones arriving from Iraq, while Saudi Arabia announced that it had suspended the pipeline the following day. Agence France-Presse quoted an Energy Ministry official as saying that the pipeline was targeted in several attacks in the Riyadh and Medina regions, resulting in injuries and its precautionary shutdown.

Reports on the Resumption of Pipeline Operations

Reuters reported on September 22, citing three sources familiar with the matter, that Saudi Aramco had begun restarting the East-West pipeline at a low flow rate.

The agency said Aramco aims to restore flows to around 4 million barrels per day, while reaching 40 percent of the pipeline’s operating capacity could take several days. Restoring the pipeline to its full capacity of 7 million barrels per day could take between six and eight weeks.

Reuters also reported that the initial supplies could go to Aramco’s refineries on the Red Sea coast, with a shipment from Yanbu Port to China scheduled. Traders are also preparing to divert tankers to Port Said and Sidi Kerir to conduct ship-to-ship transfers.

In the markets, Brent crude fell to $97.43 per barrel during trading on September 22, before rising again to around $105.4 in the latest trading on September 24, according to market data.

The East-West pipeline extends for approximately 1,200 kilometers and has a capacity of up to 7 million barrels per day, allowing Saudi Arabia to transport crude to the Red Sea coast while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. The Financial Times reported that European refineries had been informed of the suspension of October shipments from Yanbu, coinciding with a fivefold increase in loadings from the Ras Tanura port.

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