Saudi Aramco halts oil deliveries to several European refineries after pipeline attacks
Saudi Aramco informed at least two European refinery operators that it will not supply oil under existing long-term contracts, citing damage to the East-West pipeline.
Saudi Aramco notified a minimum of two European refinery operators that oil deliveries will be halted under their long-term contracts after the East-West pipeline, which carries Saudi crude from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, was attacked with drones and missiles. The Saudi energy ministry confirmed the pipeline was temporarily shut down. The loss of Saudi crude is expected to force European customers to seek other suppliers.
In response, Polish energy group Orlen announced it has arranged additional shipments from Norway, Britain, Algeria, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and North America to maintain feedstock for its plants in Poland, the Czech Republic and Lithuania. Polish energy minister Milosz Motyka said the pipeline could be back in operation within two weeks, according to talks with Saudi officials.
Why it matters
The suspension threatens European fuel supplies and may raise energy prices as refineries scramble for alternative crude sources.
How this story developed
- Sep 8 Houthi strikes wound dozens in Saudi cities as coalition vows retaliation
- Sep 13 The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman, saying 13 of the 14 Indian crew have been rescued and search continues for the missing Indian national.
- Sep 13 Saudi east‑west oil pipeline shut after a drone strike.
- Sep 13 Houthis allege Saudi forces carried out more than 50 attacks on their targets in a single day.
- Sep 14 Oman hosts a Gulf meeting on Hormuz while Bahrain refuses to participate.
- Sep 14 In a post on X, the European Commission President condemned the Houthi assault on Saudi and American military sites, calling it an act of aggression. She stressed that the EU will continue cooperating with Gulf partners to ensure secure, free shipping through the Hormuz Strait. The statement also highlighted the broader goal of Middle-East stability, which the EU views as a shared interest. The Houthi group claimed to have launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones, citing retaliation for Saudi air strikes in Yemen. Saudi officials responded by ordering air patrols in several southern regions.
- Sep 14 Iranian cargo vessel hit near Qeshm Island, killing one crew member and prompting Oman to delay the Hormuz talks.
- Sep 15 Houthi forces reported seizing the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands.
- Sep 15 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met President Abdel Fattah al‑Sisi in Cairo to discuss Red Sea navigation and retaliation against the Houthis.
- Sep 16 Saudi civil defense issued emergency shelter warnings for Jeddah, Mecca and Taif.
- Sep 16 Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a drone aimed at Mecca and accused Iran-backed Houthi rebels of the plot, which the rebels denied.
- Sep 16 Saudi Arabia announced the cancellation of September crude cargoes to Europe.
- Sep 16 Saudi coalition announced a drone it said was Houthi‑linked was heading toward Mecca and triggered a brief security alert.
- Sep 16 Houthis seized coastal towns and islands at the mouth of the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
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