Gulf oil producers are accelerating plans to construct and expand alternative pipeline networks to bypass the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing shipping disruptions. Around 15 million barrels of crude oil pass through the strategic strait daily.
Excluding Iran’s own crude exports, the proposed bypass schemes could potentially reroute up to 11.5 million barrels per day out of the 13.26 million barrels that currently transit through the waterway.
Saudi Arabia leads the effort with its East-West Pipeline running to Yanbu on the Red Sea, having already boosted its capacity to 7 million barrels per day. The kingdom is also considering further expansion to handle additional volumes by 2030.
The UAE is fast-tracking a second pipeline project to Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman to double its throughput capacity by next year. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to revive Iraq’s pipeline link to Syria’s Mediterranean coast, though political and financial hurdles remain.
Countries without independent bypass routes, such as Kuwait and Bahrain, have initiated talks with Saudi Arabia to link their oil supply into the Saudi pipeline network. (With input from GulfTimes)
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