Aramco tells some European refiners they will get no Saudi crude in October after pipeline attack

On 18 Sep 2026, Saudi Aramco informed at least two European refiners they will receive no crude in October under long-term term contracts after attacks forced a shutdown of the East–West pipeline and disrupted Red Sea loadings, forcing customers to hunt for replacement barrels.

Reduced Saudi term flows to Europe tightens near-term seaborne supply, supporting benchmark Brent and increasing urgency for European buyers to source replacements. The disruption also affects Egypt’s Mediterranean loading route (Sidi Kerir), raising logistical complexity and potential import-cost and inflationary pressure in countries that transship or import via Mediterranean/Red Sea corridors.

Whether Aramco partially restarts the East–West pipeline within days and returns to full capacity within six weeks.