EL7.AI
CommoditiesMediumUpdated•Originally published 24 September 2026•Updated 24 September 2026•
2 min read

Saudi Arabia Sells 100M Barrels to Asia via Hormuz Following Pipeline Outage

Saudi flag, oil barrel, tanker ship, and pipeline against an orange map showing trade routes to Asia.

Key Facts

1Saudi Arabia has sold nearly 100 million barrels of crude to Asian buyers via the Strait of Hormuz since the middle of last week.
2Shipments shifted to the Strait of Hormuz after the East-West pipeline to the Red Sea went out of service.

In a move reflecting Saudi Arabia's logistical flexibility amid technical disruptions, the Kingdom has sold nearly 100 million barrels of crude oil to Asian buyers via the Strait of Hormuz since the middle of last week. This shift in shipment routes, designated for October and November delivery, follows the East-West pipeline to the Red Sea going out of service, necessitating an immediate change in distribution strategy to ensure supply reaches major consumers.

According to reports, the buyer list included refineries in China, India, South Korea, and Japan, as Saudi Aramco increased shuttle-shipping operations through the Strait of Hormuz to compensate for the alternative route's outage. These volumes are significant, roughly equaling one day of total global oil demand, which has helped cap upside price volatility despite the disruption of the pipeline that normally carries about 4 million barrels per day, per market data and analyst reports.

Looking ahead, traders are monitoring the pace of full operational recovery for the East-West pipeline, which current technical estimates suggest could take several weeks. In the absence of real-time instrument pricing as of September 24, 2026, market focus remains on global economic indicators, such as the UK Retail Sales which showed a 2.4% year-on-year increase on September 18, serving as a signal for consumer demand recovery that may influence energy market sentiment.