Saudi Arabia to Expand East-West Pipeline to Reduce Oil Exports via Gulf

Saudi Arabia aims to raise the capacity of its east-west pipeline by 40% in two years so more of its oil exports can avoid passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the energy minister said on July 25.

Khalid al-Falih also told media that importers should, as a first immediate step, secure shipments through the strategic waterway at the mouth of Gulf, after attacks on oil tankers in the area and the seizure of a British-flagged ship by Iran.

Falih said the international community should take swift action to protect oil supplies and secure the Strait, through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes.