Saudi Aramco has informed European oil refiners that it will meet their full crude oil requirements in November following the resumption of operations at Saudi Arabia’s key East-West pipeline, offering relief to customers affected by recent supply disruptions.
At least three European refiners have been told they will receive their full crude oil allocations from the state-owned oil giant next month, according to reports.
The restoration of supplies is expected to ease tightness in the European oil market after disruptions forced refiners to seek alternative sources of crude.
The pipeline, which transports oil across Saudi Arabia, was reportedly attacked, disrupting the kingdom’s ability to supply European customers through its usual export arrangements.
Last month, Aramco informed European refiners that they would receive no crude oil allocations for October following the attack on the East-West pipeline. The announcement prompted buyers to urgently secure replacement cargoes to maintain refinery operations and meet fuel demand.
Polish refiner Orlen SA, the largest buyer of Saudi crude oil, launched more than ten tenders to purchase alternative supplies after the disruption. The move highlighted the pressure on European refiners to find replacement barrels amid uncertainty over Saudi crude deliveries.
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Saudi Arabia typically exports between 700,000 and 800,000 barrels of crude oil per day to Europe, according to reports. The restoration of full allocations for November is therefore expected to support regional supply availability and reduce the need for refiners to rely on alternative sources.
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The latest development comes as oil buyers continue to monitor disruptions to energy infrastructure and their potential impact on global crude flows. For European refiners, the resumption of regular Saudi supplies could provide greater certainty in procurement planning and help stabilise their crude sourcing strategies.
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However, the extent to which the restored deliveries will ease market tightness will depend on the timely resumption of shipments and broader supply conditions in the international oil market.