The recent turbulence in the Strait of Hormuz has forced Gulf states to rethink their energy export strategies and prioritize new infrastructure that reduces reliance on the narrow maritime corridor. Saudi Arabia is leading the effort with its East‑West crude pipeline, a 1,200‑kilometre conduit that links eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Designed for 7 million barrels per day (bpd), the line moved 5.8 million bpd at the start of October 2026. The kingdom plans to raise the pipeline’s capacity to 10 million bpd within the next three years by adding new pump stations and expanding related facilities, which would enable a larger share of Saudi exports to bypass Hormuz altogether.

In the United Arab Emirates, the 400‑kilometre Habshan‑Fujairah pipeline already carries between 1.5 and 1.8 million bpd to the Gulf of Oman, avoiding the strait. Abu Dhabi is now developing a West‑East pipeline that is expected to double Fujairah’s export capability to about 4 million bpd by 2027, further diversifying routes for Emirati oil.

Kuwait is exploring two alternative export corridors. The first would transport crude from the Ahmadi field through Saudi territory to the Red Sea, while the second would head eastward to Fujairah in the UAE. Both projects are still in feasibility studies, with implementation timelines of four to five years if approved, according to MEED’s October report.

Oman is strengthening its position as a regional storage hub. The Duqm oil terminal currently holds 26.7 million barrels, and the government plans to add eight new tanks that would increase capacity by 5.2 million barrels. The expanded storage will support larger volumes of oil transiting the Gulf of Oman and provide additional flexibility for traders seeking to avoid Hormuz.

LNG exports present a more complex challenge. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that in 2025, roughly 93 % of Qatar’s and 96 % of the UAE’s liquefied natural gas passed through the strait, representing about 19 % of global LNG trade. Unlike crude, LNG cannot be rerouted through pipelines; it requires costly liquefaction facilities and dedicated export terminals. As a result, Gulf countries must invest heavily in new regasification and liquefaction infrastructure if they wish to shift LNG flows away from Hormuz.

Overall, the IEA estimates that about 20 million bpd of oil and petroleum products traversed the Strait of Hormuz in 2025—approximately 25 % of worldwide sea‑borne oil trade. Alternative pipelines could accommodate an additional 3.5‑5.5 million bpd, suggesting a modest but significant reduction in dependence on the chokepoint. However, the ultimate volume that can be redirected will still be limited by port capacities, tanker availability and maritime security considerations.

The coordinated push for new pipelines, expanded storage and diversified export routes underscores a regional consensus: ensuring uninterrupted energy flows is paramount, and reducing vulnerability to geopolitical tensions in Hormuz has become a strategic imperative for the Gulf’s oil‑rich economies.

Sources (learn more):

alwatan.com.sa — https://www.alwatan.com.sa/article/1188489