Saudi pipeline recovery reported amidst conflicting timelines and European supply strain

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the operational status of Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline following recent drone strikes. Citing Reuters sources, initial updates indicate that Riyadh has restored operations and resumed crude exports from the Yanbu terminal. Conversely, sources cited by the Associated Press suggest that repairs to damaged pumping facilities could take three to five weeks, leaving the pipeline functioning only partially.

Despite potential operational restarts, state energy firm Saudi Aramco notified several European refiners that scheduled crude deliveries for next month are canceled, forcing companies such as Poland's Orlen to secure alternative supplies. Meanwhile, severe shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—where daily vessel transits dropped from 120 to four—and regional infrastructure damage threaten to push European retail fuel prices toward record highs.

Sources: Deník N, Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Seznam Zprávy