Hormuz Bypass: UAE-Saudi Pipelines Operational, But Iran Still Holds the Key

• Iran's threat to block the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit point for 20% of global supply, has prompted alternative routes.
• Saudi Arabia's 1200 km East-West Pipeline and UAE's 400 km Habshan-Fujairah pipeline now bypass Hormuz.
• Combined, these pipelines can transport about 6.5 million barrels of oil daily, far less than the 20 million barrels typically passing through Hormuz.
• Effective bypass capacity is limited to around 4 million barrels/day due to port loading constraints, like Yanbu's 2.5 million bpd capacity.
• Challenges include insufficient infrastructure, vulnerability to attacks, longer sea routes, and continued dependence of other Gulf nations on Hormuz.