Some energy analysts now claim that Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline remains offline and that recent reports of its restoration were part of a disinformation campaign. These conflicting assertions emerge even as shipping data indicates crude loadings averaged 6.4 million BPD last week, surpassing the 5.4 million BPD average seen in 2025. The dispute has introduced significant uncertainty regarding the kingdom's current capacity to move crude to the Red Sea to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

European Space Agency satellite imagery from Sept. 27 shows tankers loading nearly 10 million barrels of crude at the ports of Yanbu and Al Muajjiz. While most industry sources state the pipeline resumed exports on Sept. 28 after repairing damage from Sept. 10 drone strikes, reports suggest the line is only running at 3.5 million BPD with three pumping stations still out of service. Saudi Aramco has begun booking shipments for October to recover losses from the disruption.