US energy chief says Saudi Arabia oil pipeline should be back online within days

Live updates

1. 2h ago

   US Energy Secretary says Saudi oil pipeline will resume within days

   The US Energy Secretary told CNBC that the closure of a key Saudi Arabian oil pipeline is a brief interruption that will last days. The outage follows a hit to the pipeline that forced Saudi Arabia to cancel some oil cargoes and pivot more exports through the Strait of Hormuz. While the US government expects a quick recovery, other reports suggest the shutdown could last weeks, contributing to rising oil prices as supply concerns grow amid the broader conflict with Iran.

   Why it matters

   Saudi Arabia is diverting oil through the Strait of Hormuz to compensate for the pipeline failure. This shift increases reliance on a volatile maritime chokepoint during an active war with Iran. The US military has already spent at least $33.4 billion on the Iran conflict, primarily on munitions.

   What is confirmed

   • The US Energy Secretary stated the Saudi pipeline closure is a brief interruption that will last days.
   • Saudi Arabia has cancelled some oil cargoes and redirected more oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
   • Oil prices have risen due to the pipeline outage and fresh attacks.
   • The Pentagon reports the US military has spent at least $33.4 billion on the Iran war.
   • The House of Representatives passed an Iran war powers resolution with 213 Democrats and seven Republicans.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The Saudi pipeline may remain shut for weeks.
   • Saudi Arabia faces a worst-case scenario after being rebuffed by Donald Trump.
   • CENTCOM disputes an IRGC claim that a supertanker was struck by Hormuz naval forces.

   What to watch next

   • Confirmation of the pipeline's return to operational status
   • Further shifts in Saudi oil export routes
   • Legislative action following the House Iran war powers resolution
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. The New York Times — Saudi Arabia Faces ‘Worst-Case Scenario’ After Being Rebuffed by Trump
   2. Al Jazeera — Iran war live: CENTCOM disputes IRGC claim supertanker struck by Hormuz nav
   3. Reuters — Oil prices rise as Saudi pipeline outage, fresh attacks raise supply concerns
   4. CNBC — Saudi pipeline closure is a brief interruption that will last days, U.S. Energy Secretary tells CNBC
   5. Bloomberg.com — MBS and Saudi Arabia Face Crisis With Key Oil Pipeline Shut for Weeks
   6. Reuters — Saudi cancels some oil cargoes after pipeline hit, top buyer chasing alternatives
   7. Reuters — US energy chief says Saudi Arabia oil pipeline should be back online within days
   8. Crude Oil Prices Today | OilPrice.com — Saudi Pipeline Outage Hits an Oil Market Running Out of Buffers
   9. Bloomberg.com — Saudis Pivot to Send More Oil Through Hormuz After Pipeline Shut
   10. www.yahoo.com — White House backs Hegseth as new details come out about Iran war's cost
   11. www.foxnews.com — 3 more Republicans back Iran war powers resolution; new report details brutal regime crackdown
   confidence 80%