While wars shake energy routes in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia moves quietly to ensure that oil continues flowing to the world.

Riyadh | BETH

At a time when war is expanding across the region and traditional energy routes are coming under increasing pressure, Saudi Aramco has moved quickly to ensure the continued flow of oil to global markets, reaffirming the Kingdom’s role as a cornerstone of global energy stability.

The company announced that it has redirected some oil shipments to Yanbu port on the Red Sea to ensure the safety and continuity of supplies, following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to ongoing military developments in the region.

A Strategic Vision that Predated the Crisis

This shift is made possible through the East–West crude oil pipeline (Petroline), one of the most strategic projects in the history of Saudi Arabia’s energy industry.

In 1981, amid the Iran–Iraq war at the time, King Fahd bin Abdulaziz ordered the construction of a pipeline that would transport Saudi oil from the Eastern Province to the Red Sea coast, anticipating the possibility of disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The pipeline was initially designed with a capacity of 5 million barrels per day, nearly equivalent to the Kingdom’s total exports at that time. This reflected a strategic vision aimed at creating an alternative route capable of transporting most Saudi oil exports when necessary.

Between 2017 and 2019, under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Aramco’s Supreme Council, the pipeline’s capacity was expanded to approximately 7 million barrels per day.

Saudi Arabia currently exports around 7 million barrels per day, meaning that Petroline could theoretically carry the Kingdom’s entire oil exports to Yanbu on the Red Sea.

Although Yanbu typically exports around one million barrels per day, its natural operational capacity reaches 5.5 million barrels per day, with the possibility of further expansion in exceptional circumstances.

During the first days of the recent escalation, exports through Yanbu increased by about 60 percent, reflecting the ability of Saudi infrastructure to rapidly adapt to changing conditions.

A Multi-Layered Security System

In addition to the pipeline, Aramco relies on a forward storage strategy, a vast network of oil storage facilities located across several key countries worldwide.

These storage facilities allow large volumes of oil to be stored close to major markets, ensuring continuous supply even if certain transport routes are disrupted.

This strategy proved effective when Aramco facilities were attacked in 2019, temporarily disrupting more than half of Saudi production capacity. Despite the scale of the disruption, global supplies continued without major disturbance thanks to these reserves.

Financial Results Reflect Exceptional Strength

Alongside these developments, Aramco announced strong financial results for 2025, confirming its position as the world’s largest energy company.

According to the announced figures:

Net income: SAR 392.5 billion

Fourth-quarter net income: SAR 94 billion

Operating cash flow: SAR 510.8 billion

Free cash flow: SAR 320.4 billion

Gearing ratio: 3.8%

Total shareholder distributions for 2025 reached SAR 320.4 billion, including a fourth-quarter base dividend of SAR 82.08 billion.

Investing in the Future

Aramco continues to implement a long-term expansion strategy, with capital investment reaching SAR 195.9 billion in 2025.

Key strategic projects include:

Starting production from the first phase of Jafurah field

Launching operations at the Tanajib gas plant

Expanding production at Marjan field

Advancing the crude oil expansion program at Berri field

These projects aim to increase gas production capacity by around 80 percent by 2030, compared to 2021 levels.

Energy and Artificial Intelligence

In a shift reflecting the future of the energy sector, Aramco is expanding into advanced technologies.

The company is strengthening the use of artificial intelligence and digital solutions to enhance operational efficiency and develop the energy systems of the future.

BETH Analysis

In times of major disruptions in energy markets, attention usually turns to who owns the resources.

Yet global experience has shown that the real question is not only about possessing energy resources, but how they are managed.

For decades, Saudi Arabia has chosen to use its oil strength as a factor of global market stability, rather than as a tool of political pressure.

Aramco’s actions today reflect that approach, as the Kingdom works to ensure that energy continues to flow to the world even amid the most complex geopolitical conditions.

BETH Conclusion

True power in the world of energy is not measured only by the size of reserves…

but by the ability to use those resources to safeguard global stability, not to exploit it.