Saudi Arabia Says Disrupted Oil Operations Can Be Restored Within Days, Aramco Chief Says

Speaking to Nikkei Asia in Tokyo, Nasser said Aramco has built significant flexibility into its operations and is examining additional ways to transport and store crude if established export routes face disruption.

Aramco Exploring Fourth and Fifth Export Routes

Nasser said Aramco is studying the development of a fourth and fifth route for crude oil exports, in addition to its three primary routes.

The company is also examining ways to increase overseas oil-storage capacity, including in Japan, which could allow Saudi Arabia to position crude closer to key customers and respond more quickly to temporary disruptions.

According to Nasser, Aramco’s strategy is based on maintaining multiple options rather than depending on a single shipping corridor. He said the company could redirect vessels and supplies when individual routes become difficult to use.

Alternative Routes Gain Importance

The comments come as security risks surrounding major Middle Eastern shipping corridors continue to affect international energy markets.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, while the Bab el-Mandeb Strait links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Disruptions around either waterway can complicate crude transportation and force exporters and shipping companies to adjust routes.

Nasser also pointed to the Sumed pipeline, which transports crude between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean through Egypt, as another option available to Saudi oil exports.

Focus on Supply Resilience

Aramco’s plans reflect a broader effort to increase the resilience of Saudi Arabia’s oil-export system. In addition to new export routes, the company is considering additional storage capacity outside the kingdom.

Nasser said Aramco is discussing expanded storage arrangements in Japan and carrying out engineering and feasibility work related to additional export routes.

The objective is to ensure that temporary disruptions to individual facilities, pipelines or maritime routes do not necessarily translate into prolonged interruptions for international customers.

What It Means for Global Oil Markets

Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s major oil producers and exporters, making the continuity of its crude shipments important for global energy markets.

Any prolonged disruption to Saudi production or exports could affect international crude supplies, shipping costs and oil prices. However, the eventual market impact would depend on the scale and duration of any disruption, the availability of alternative routes and storage, and the ability of other producers to compensate for lost supplies.

For now, Nasser’s comments indicate that Aramco believes it has the operational flexibility to respond rapidly to disruptions while working to expand the number of routes available for its crude exports.

The key development to watch is whether Aramco’s proposed additional export routes and overseas storage facilities can be developed quickly enough to provide greater protection against future disruptions.