Saudi Arabia Restarts East-West Pipeline After Drone Attacks; Brent Crude Falls $2

Saudi Arabia has resumed operations at its East-West Pipeline and could restart crude exports from the Red Sea port of Yanbu as early as September 22, 2026, three sources briefed on the matter said. The restart pressured global oil markets. Brent crude futures fell more than $2 a barrel to their lowest level since September 8. The pipeline was shut on September 13 following drone attacks that halted loadings at Yanbu. The pipeline was pumping at a reduced rate after restart, two sources said. State oil firm Saudi Aramco is seeking to raise throughput to 4 million barrels per day, roughly 4% of global supply, one source said, without giving a timeline. Aramco did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The pipeline will resume crude supply to Aramco refineries on the Red Sea coast, one source said. One cargo was scheduled to load at Yanbu on Tuesday, bound for China. Two trading sources said tankers were being repositioned to Egypt's Port Said and Sidi Kerir for ship-to-ship transfers.