Market Chatter: Saudi Arabia Seeks To Restore Half Of Key Oil Pipeline Capacity Within Days

07:29 PM EDT, 09/16/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Saudi Arabia is seeking to restore about half the capacity of its East-West oil pipeline within days after it was halted following drone attacks, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. Saudi Aramco is working to bypass a damaged section of the pipeline, with full capacity targeted in about six weeks, the report said. The shutdown has caused delays for European customers and pushed up regional crude prices, while refiners have sought replacement cargoes, Bloomberg reported. Aramco has also sold about 20 million barrels to Asian refiners for September and October pickup, according to traders cited by the report. (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)