SECTOR SECURITY REPORT: ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF HOUTHI DRONE AND MISSILE ATTACKS ON THE SAUDI EAST-WEST PIPELINE AND YANBU GLOBAL CRUDE OIL SUPPLY CHAIN
Gehad Ahmed, Basma Aamri, Rebecca Davis, Hermione Goux, WATCH/GSOC Team
Chloe Pentz, Editor; Elena Alice Rossetti, Senior Editor
November 14, 2026
Industry: Crude Oil Pipeline Industry
Oil Infrastructure[1]
BLUF
On November 12, 2026, Houthi forces reportedly attacked Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline and Red Sea export facilities in the port town of Yanbu, highlighting the growing vulnerability of global crude oil transportation amid ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.[2] The approximately 1,200 kilometer East-West pipeline has become Saudi Arabia’s primary alternative export route, transporting an estimated four to five million barrels of crude oil per day to international markets through the Red Sea port of Yanbu.[3] Its role has shifted from a strategic backup to a critical lifeline for maintaining Saudi crude exports and mitigating disruptions to Persian Gulf shipping routes.[4] Despite Saudi air defence interceptions containing major physical outages, the November 12, 2026, incident underscores that this energy corridor remains very likely exposed to future threats. Damage to the pipeline’s pumping infrastructure or export facilities in Yanbu will likely constrain Saudi Arabia’s ability to sustain crude oil deliveries to international markets, very likely tightening global supplies and increasing price volatility. Continued pressure on crude shipments around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait will likely enhance the strategic importance and operational exposure of overland export routes around Yanbu. Heightened security concerns surrounding the East-West pipeline will very likely prompt shipping companies and logistics providers operating in the region to charge higher premiums and implement additional security measures. These developments will very likely increase transportation and insurance expenses, adding upward pressure on the cost of moving energy products and other commodities.
What part of the Oil and Gas industry is affected?
Oil production facilities
Oil refineries
Oil and gas pipelines
Storage tanks and facilities
Oil export terminals
Distribution facilities
What type of threat or hazard is involved?
Missile attacks
Drone attacks
Sabotage
Terrorist attacks
Armed conflict or military operations
What are the actual or potential impacts on the industry?
Production interruptions
Infrastructure damage
Pipeline disruptions
Storage capacity reductions
Export or shipping delays
Supply chain disruptions
Increased security costs
Increased operating costs
Supply shortages
Price volatility
Threat Outlook
The Houthis will very likely seek to target Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline to threaten the Kingdom’s ability to bypass the Strait of Hormuz and maintain crude oil exports through alternative routes. Houthi forces will likely continue alternating between dispersed pumping stations and coastal export terminals, such as Yanbu, to test Saudi air-defense readiness, coverage of the pipeline network, and saturation. Sustained maritime pressure near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait will likely compound overland pipeline risks by creating a secondary bottleneck for tankers departing Yanbu across the Red Sea. Transport networks, storage, and export operations supporting Saudi energy infrastructure will very likely experience an increase in security scrutiny, likely requesting strengthened coordination between operational risk and crisis management, and geopolitical intelligence integration into corporate security and supply chain planning. Disruptions to the East-West pipeline operations and maritime exports will very likely increase shipping and insurance premiums, and security and logistics charges for companies transporting energy products and related commodities across the region. Perceived heightened supply risks will likely drive Brent crude oil prices higher, increasing global energy costs and production and procurement expenses across energy-dependent supply chains.
Recommendations
The Counterterrorism Group (CTG) recommends that supply chain managers globally review business continuity plans to account for potential disruptions to the East-West pipeline and associated infrastructure, including identifying alternative suppliers and establishing procedures for managing delayed or redirected deliveries. They should define their internal escalation procedures for confirmed infrastructure disruptions.
Supply chain managers based in Saudi Arabia should reassess strategic crude oil buffers and pre-arranged alternative transportation routes to absorb temporary pipeline closures, bypass Red Sea loading delays, and keep customer deliveries moving.
Supply chain managers based in Saudi Arabia should coordinate with corporate security teams to distinguish between confirmed security incidents and operational disruptions, and unverified threat reporting. They should ensure credible threats receive an appropriate response by recording incidents and reviewing organizational actions following each event. Data and information sharing should lead to revised security incident escalation plans and limit unnecessary operational suspensions.
Logistics managers globally should monitor maritime security advisories and threat warnings from the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) to assess Red Sea threat levels in real time. They should coordinate with security managers to remain updated on rerouted tankers and implement security protocols to mitigate attacks.
Logistics managers based in Saudi Arabia should coordinate with corporate security teams to consistently reassess security arrangements for employees, contractors, and transport providers operating near strategically important energy infrastructure. Security teams should ensure they establish reliable emergency communication procedures and request that employees regularly review how to respond to security incidents.
[1] Critical Infrastructure, generated by a third party image database (created by AI)
[2] Yemen's Houthis say they targeted Saudi East-West pipeline, port city of Yanbu, The Hindu, November 2026, https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/yemens-houthis-say-they-targeted-saudi-east-west-pipeline-port-city-of-yanbu/article71695404.ece
[3] Saudis shut down oil pipeline as Houthis tighten grip on Red Sea shipping, Reuters, September 2026,
[4] What the closure of Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline could mean for oil flows, AP, September 2026, https://apnews.com/article/saudi-pipeline-oil-iran-war-efa431e2fa771e34880c8453c62ffb92
