A strategic oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia is back online, providing a critical alternative to shipping routes through the Persian Gulf. The restart of the 4 million bpd East-West pipeline briefly drove Brent crude prices down more than $2 to around $98 a barrel on Sept. 22, though operational flows remain low for now.

The restoration of the route helps mitigate the effects of the Strait of Hormuz blockade maintained by Iran to pressure the U.S. over a defunct peace deal. The kingdom is resuming crude oil exports from the Red Sea port of Yanbu on Tuesday to further diversify its shipping options and avoid the maritime chokepoint.