Completely bypass the Strait of Hormuz! Gulf countries are considering building a new pipeline.

```

Iran’s continued threat to the Strait of Hormuz is forcing Gulf oil-producing countries to reconsider a costly yet increasingly urgent option—building new oil pipelines that bypass this global energy chokepoint.

According to CCTV International News, the Financial Times reported today (April 2) that Gulf states are considering building new oil pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

Multiple officials and industry executives said new pipelines may be the only way to reduce Gulf countries’ dependence on the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia is evaluating whether to expand the existing East-West pipeline or develop new routes, while Abu Dhabi is reportedly maintaining a “backup plan” for a pipeline to Fujairah port.

The backdrop to this round of discussion is the persistently tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz, with related conflicts suddenly intensifying concerns about the security of energy exports.

Maisoon Kafafy, Senior Advisor to the Middle East Program at the Atlantic Council, stated that the atmosphere in the Gulf region has changed—“I sense a trend shifting from hypothetical discussion to actual implementation; everyone is looking at the same map and reaching the same conclusion.”

Saudi East-West Pipeline Becomes Strategic Benchmark

Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, 1,200 kilometers long, has now become a core point of reference in these discussions. The pipeline was built in the 1980s, when the “tanker war” during the Iran-Iraq War raised concerns that the Strait of Hormuz could be closed at any moment, thus prompting the pipeline’s construction. Currently, it can transport 7 million barrels of crude oil per day to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, completely bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

“Looking back, the East-West pipeline was truly a stroke of genius,” said a Gulf energy executive. Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser also told analysts last month that the pipeline is the “main route the company is fully utilizing at present.”

Saudi Arabia currently produces about 10.2 million barrels of crude oil per day and is studying how to export more oil via pipelines rather than through Iranian-controlled waters, including considering whether to further expand the East-West pipeline’s capacity or develop new routes. As for Abu Dhabi, a senior energy executive revealed that Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) “has always had a second pipeline plan to Fujairah port as backup,” but it is not expected to make a final decision until the long-term situation in the Strait of Hormuz becomes clearer.

New Pipeline Network: Attractive Prospects, Significant Obstacles

Despite clear strategic needs, new pipeline projects still face huge challenges. Christopher Bush, CEO of Cat Group, estimates that simply replicating the East-West pipeline would now cost at least $5 billion—the original pipeline crossed Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast’s hard Hijaz mountain basalt formations. If the pipelines involve complex routes across multiple countries such as Iraq, Jordan, Syria, or Turkey, costs would rise to $15–20 billion.

Security risks cannot be ignored either. Bush pointed out that Iraq has many unexploded ordnances, alongside ongoing threats from militant groups like ISIS; pipelines extending south to Omani ports would have to cross deserts and hard rock mountains. Omani ports themselves are not necessarily safe—Salalah port was recently forced to close briefly due to a drone attack.

Political complexities are equally significant. Bush stated that a pipeline network would require Gulf states to “abandon go-it-alone policies and achieve cooperation,” whereas historically, “shipping oil by sea has always been considered cheaper and safer.” Kafafy believes the most resilient solution is not a single alternative pipeline, but “a network of corridors,” though she admits this is also the hardest option to achieve.

In longer-term plans, new pipelines may be integrated into broader trade corridors. One Gulf official mentioned that the U.S.-led “India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor” (IMEC) plan may be restarted, but the original project contained a pipeline segment to Israel’s Haifa port.

Risk warning and disclaimerMarkets are risky, and investment requires caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice, nor does it take into account the individual investment objectives, financial situations, or needs of any particular user. Users should consider whether any opinions, viewpoints, or conclusions in this article fit their specific circumstances. Investing accordingly is at your own risk. ```