Reuters, citing informed sources, reported that Saudi Arabia is considering increasing the capacity of its crude oil pipeline to its western coast on the Red Sea, which would enable it to transport larger quantities of oil without the need to transit through the Strait of Hormuz. The Kingdom is conducting preliminary talks with some neighboring countries regarding a potential capacity expansion of up to two million barrels per day. It remains unclear whether the increase will involve upgrading existing infrastructure or constructing a new pipeline, noting that the expansion would include a second, smaller pipeline for transporting petroleum products. The CEO of Aramco stated last May that the East-West pipeline is operating at its maximum capacity of 7 million barrels per day, proving itself to be a vital artery for ensuring the continuity of oil supplies and mitigating the effects of global energy shocks.