Saudi Arabia is trying to restore the capacity of the east-west crude oil pipeline to about half within a few days by circumventing the pipe section damaged by drone attacks last week. Saudi Aramco aims to restore the pipeline to full load in about six weeks. The pipeline has become a key alternative channel when shipping is blocked in the Strait of Hormuz, so even a partial restart is expected to ease supply concerns; Brent crude is currently trading above $107.

Saudi Arabia is trying to restore the capacity of the east-west crude oil pipeline to about half within a few days by circumventing the pipe section damaged by drone attacks last week. Saudi Aramco aims to restore the pipeline to full load in about six weeks. The pipeline has become a key alternative channel when shipping is blocked in the Strait of Hormuz, so even a partial restart is expected to ease supply concerns; Brent crude is currently trading above $107.