Written by: Islam El-Sakka
The renewed rise in oil prices has once again highlighted the critical infrastructure for global energy supplies, as markets have shown extreme sensitivity to any potential tensions in the Arabian Gulf region. Brent crude prices reached high levels touching $113 per barrel, amidst ongoing concerns about global energy supply disruptions, reflecting the pivotal role of production and export lines in the region.
Importance of Energy Infrastructure in Gulf Countries
A large percentage of the infrastructure that feeds global energy markets is concentrated in five Arab countries, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. These facilities vary between massive oil fields, gas processing complexes, refineries, transport pipelines, and export terminals, which play a decisive role in the stability of crude oil and natural gas supplies globally.
Alternative Corridors and Strategic Export Terminals
Countries in the region rely on a network of pipelines and terminals to secure their exports; foremost among them is the Fujairah terminal and the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline in the UAE, which allows for the transport of crude for export outside the Strait of Hormuz. In Saudi Arabia, the East-West pipeline, known as Petroline, is a strategic lifeline that transports oil from the Abqaiq facilities to the Yanbu terminal on the Red Sea coast, with a capacity that positions it as an important alternative route. The region also includes other massive facilities such as the Ras Tanura terminal, the Mina Al-Ahmadi port in Kuwait, and the Sitra port in Bahrain, in addition to the Mesaieed terminals and the vital Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas island in Qatar.
