Saudi Arabia reported to be studying a Red Sea pipeline expansion

Reports in July 2026 said Saudi Arabia is considering expanding the capacity of its crude oil pipeline to the Red Sea coast, allowing the kingdom — and possibly neighbours — to move more oil without passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The East–West pipeline was built in the early 1980s and carries up to 7 million barrels per day to the port of Yanbu. According to Aramco's chief executive, about 2 million b/d feeds west-coast refineries while roughly 5 million b/d is for export.

Preliminary discussions involve neighbouring countries including Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, on raising capacity by up to 2 million b/d. It is not clear whether the increase would come from upgrading existing infrastructure or building a new line, though one source said it would include a smaller second pipe for refined products. The report rests on sources and has not been officially confirmed.