US Energy Secretary Says Saudi East-West Pipeline to Resume Soon

Recent drone attacks have halted the operation of Saudi Arabia's key oil transportation route, the East-West pipeline. On Wednesday (local time), US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Bloomberg TV that "the pipeline will soon be back in operation." Wright noted that Saudi officials are carefully assessing the damage and required repairs, adding that more clarity on the matter should come shortly.

The East-West pipeline was suspended following drone attacks late last week. The pipeline is a critical alternative export route for Saudi oil, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz. With a daily transport capacity of approximately 7 million barrels, it has recently reached maximum capacity as maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz became nearly paralyzed earlier this year.