Satellite Images Reveal Damage to Major Saudi Oil Pipeline, Fueling Global Supply Fears

Satellite imagery has confirmed significant damage to a crucial Saudi Arabian East-West oil pipeline, exacerbating global concerns regarding oil supplies and prices. Photos released Sunday, September 13, 2026, depicted a pumping station on the 1,200-kilometer pipeline as charred and severely damaged following drone attacks that occurred on Friday, September 11, 2026. The pipeline, which typically transports approximately 4 million barrels of crude oil daily, representing about 4% of global supply, was shut down as a precautionary measure after the strikes.

The attacks on the pipeline, which Saudi Arabia has attributed to Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, come at a critical time when the route is vital for rerouting oil exports to the Red Sea, bypassing the potentially volatile Strait of Hormuz. The closure has led to a surge in international oil prices, with Brent crude rising above $108 per barrel on Sunday, a level not seen since May.

Industry sources indicate that the Red Sea port of Yanbu, where the pipeline terminates, may only have enough oil stocks to sustain exports for five to seven days if the pipeline remains offline. While Saudi officials have not provided a detailed timeline for repairs, anonymous sources suggest that restoration efforts could take several weeks, potentially ranging from three to six weeks, though partial operations might resume sooner.