Saudi Arabia has notified some European refiners that crude cargoes scheduled for loading in late September are canceled, and oil loadings at its Red Sea port of Yanbu have stopped following drone attacks on the East-West pipeline. The pipeline had been carrying about 4 million BPD to Yanbu, allowing exports to bypass disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The kingdom is offering Asian refiners more crude for loading off Oman. Saudi Arabia has enough tanker capacity to redirect roughly 3 million BPD through Ras Tanura, Kpler estimates, though that increases exposure to Hormuz. Brent and US crude futures rose by more than $3 a barrel on Sept. 15 after news that Yanbu loadings had been suspended.

Industry sources told Reuters on Sept. 13 that Yanbu held enough crude to sustain exports for only five to seven days, with smaller stocks at Egyptian ports. Repair estimates varied: one source put full repairs at five to six weeks, while another said partial pumping could resume sooner. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright offered a shorter outlook, telling CNBC on Sept. 15 that oil should flow again “within days.”