BRICS and G20

Geopolitics, global macroeconomics and the multipolar world order. Delivering only verified truths and confirmed insights on BRICS, G20 and global power.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

Can Saudi Arabia’s Petroline Truly Replace the Strait of Hormuz?

What is it:
The East-West Crude Oil Pipeline (better known as Petroline) is a massive 1,200 km strategic energy corridor. It links Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq oil fields in the Eastern Province directly to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, boasting a massive capacity of up to 7 million barrels per day (bpd).

So could Petroline actually save the global energy market?

The short answer is no. Here are 3 critical reasons why:

Reason 1 - The Gas Blindspot:
Don’t forget about Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). While Saudi Arabia can redirect its crude oil to the Red Sea, 20% of the world’s LNG flows from Qatar and is completely trapped behind the strait with zero pipeline alternatives. Until LNG carriers can sail safely, the global economy remains entirely dependent on Hormuz.

Reason 2 - The Massive Capacity Deficit:
Pumping 7 million bpd through the East-West line is an incredible engineering feat. However, the Strait of Hormuz handles over 20 million bpd of crude and refined products. While Saudi Arabia's pipeline might buy the world some time, it cannot cover a looming 13-million-barrel global deficit. Hormuz remains mathematically irreplaceable.

Reason 3 - A Divider, Not a Solution:
Petroline is a vital lifeline for Saudi Arabia, but it leaves its neighbors like Kuwait, Iraq and the UAE completely stranded with no overland export options. Instead of making Hormuz obsolete, the pipeline creates a stark divide between the Gulf states that can bypass the chokepoint and those that are entirely trapped by it.

4. Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire (The Bab-el-Mandeb Trap):
Bypassing Hormuz via Petroline only shifts the geopolitical bottleneck further south. Once Saudi oil reaches the Red Sea port of Yanbu, tankers sailing south toward Asian markets, the world's primary demand center must still pass through the narrow Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Given the constant threat of drone strikes, piracy and regional instability around the Bab-el-Mandeb, Petroline merely trades one dangerous maritime chokepoint for another.

The Bottom Line:
Petroline is a brilliant insurance policy for Riyadh, but it is not a cure-all for global energy security.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

@Coinvo The problem is you.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

Just now: 🇮🇷Elon Musk’s assets in the Middle East could soon be under threat of attack by Iran’s Military, state media reported Thursday, including Starlink and X operations in Arab countries and Israel.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

@BRICSinfo This escalation is pulling the whole world in. Beyond the direct US-Iran strikes, India just lodged a major protest after US forces blew up an oil tanker, killing three Indian sailors. When a localized conflict starts killing neutral merchant mariners, global stability fractures.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

@BRICSinfo This escalation is pulling the whole world in. Beyond the direct US-Iran strikes, India just lodged a major protest after US forces blew up an oil tanker, killing three Indian sailors. When a localized conflict starts killing neutral merchant mariners, global stability fractures.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

@amjadt25 And what about the attacks on civilians. Don't they have the right to live in your imaginary world.

Iran-US-Israel war total death in May:
Deaths: Total 7,200:
🇮🇷Iran: 3468
🇱🇧Lebanon : 3593
🇮🇱Israel : 29
🇺🇸US: 13 soldiers
Other countries: 29

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

@BRICSinfo Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman of the national security commission of Iran’s parliament, says,“Trump has no more than two paths: either he must surrender, or he must surrender,”

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

Just now: 🇺🇸🇮🇷Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman of the national security commission of Iran’s parliament, says,

Trump has no more than two paths: 1. either he must surrender or
2. he must surrender.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

Just now: 🇺🇸🇮🇳Indian ministry says all 20 Indian crew members are safe after a US strike on the vessel.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

Just now: 🇮🇱🇱🇧 At least 3,711 people have been killed and 11,483 injured since Israel escalated its attacks on Lebanon on March 2.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

@World_Affairs11 The US has threatened to take or control Kharg Island, which handles roughly 90% of Iran's crude oil exports, aiming to severely restrict Iran's economic lifeline. In response, Iran has fortified the island with additional air defenses and military personnel.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

@araghchi Israeli media saying, Aragchi has been shot by US missiles and dead. Is it true?

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

Just now: 🇺🇸🇮🇷🇸🇦Saudi Arabia has publicly condemned the recent Iranian attacks and urged that diplomatic negotiations with the US must persist.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

Just now: Elon Musk's XAI Accused Of Illegally Firing Engineer Who Raised Safety Concerns.

Detail: Former xAI engineer and AI safety advocate Devin Kim has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Elon Musk’s AI company in California state court. The suit alleges Kim was fired for raising concerns about the safety risks associated with the Grok chatbot and attempting to implement necessary guardrails.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

Just now: 🇺🇸🇴🇲🇮🇳 3 Indian Sailors Killed In US Attack On Ship Off Oman Coast - NDTV.

#iran

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

@narendramodi @kishida230 3 Indian nationals killed by US military strikes on oil tanker in Hormuz area.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

They will not be able to force our Iran to surrender with their threats, and I will certainly not surrender.”
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

#IranWar‌

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

Overnight negotiations being described as on track by CNN sources while Iran publicly contradicts American announcements and the US fires on Iran's energy infrastructures simultaneously. On track and ongoing are the phrases diplomats use when they cannot yet admit how far apart the parties actually remain.

[BRICS and G20 @BRICSANDG20]

The 7M bpd record on the East-West line is an incredible engineering feat, but Hormuz handles over 20M bpd of crude and refined products. Saudi Arabia bought the world some time, but a pipeline can’t cover a 13 million barrel global deficit.

Don’t forget about gas. While Saudi Arabia can redirect crude to the Red Sea, 20% of global LNG from Qatar is completely trapped behind the closure with zero pipeline alternatives. Until the LNG carriers can sail safely, the global economy is entirely dependent on Hormuz and remains irreplaceable.