Saudi Aramco Moves About 60 Million Barrels Through Oman as Yanbu Route Faces Disruption
Aramco exports via Oman are expanding sharply, with Saudi Arabia selling about 60 million barrels of crude from its Gulf port of Ras Tanura for September and October loading through ship-to-ship transfers near Sohar, trade sources told Reuters.
The operation is helping compensate for reduced shipments from the Red Sea port of Yanbu following damage to Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline.
Aramco Exports via Oman Reach About 60 Million Barrels
Reuters reported that Saudi Aramco’s Gulf exports have rebounded to an average of roughly 1 million to 1.5 million barrels per day, similar to or slightly above August levels.
Chinese and South Korean refiners are among the main buyers, with additional barrels heading to India and Japan.
The extra supply helped push oil futures down by more than $1 a barrel on Friday as markets assessed whether the new flows could offset some of the barrels lost from Yanbu.
Profile News has previously covered Saudi oil disruptions, Yanbu and their effect on global crude prices.
Why Sohar Has Become More Important
The East-West pipeline provides Saudi Arabia with a route to the Red Sea that reduces dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. Damage to three pumping stations has disrupted the system and reduced Yanbu loadings.
Ship-to-ship transfers near Sohar provide an alternative delivery arrangement, although crude leaving Ras Tanura still has to navigate the Strait of Hormuz before reaching vessels waiting outside the Gulf.
The shift comes as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains unusually low.
Some European October Supplies Reportedly Halted
In a separate report cited by Reuters, Bloomberg said Aramco had told at least two European refining customers that October crude deliveries would not proceed following the pipeline disruption.
Reuters said it could not independently verify that report, and Aramco did not immediately comment.
Report Sources: Profile News, Reuters, Bloomberg via Reuters, Reuters.
