New Delhi, April 5 (NationPress) As the conflict in West Asia shows no signs of resolution, Gulf countries are ramping up their initiatives to lessen their dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route through which approximately 20 million barrels of oil transit each day, according to recent reports.

The increasing geopolitical tensions and recent assaults on maritime shipping have accelerated the exploration of long-considered alternatives such as pipelines and overland corridors.

A report from the Financial Times reveals that nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are already utilizing current infrastructure to partially circumvent the strait.

Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, known as Petroline, has come to the forefront as a vital resource amid the ongoing crisis.

This pipeline stretches about 1,200 kilometers from the eastern oil fields of the kingdom to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, boasting a capacity of around 7 million barrels per day and playing a pivotal role in sustaining export activities.

The UAE is similarly leveraging its Abu Dhabi Crude Oil Pipeline, which connects the onshore Habshan fields to the port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman.

With a capacity of up to 1.8 million barrels per day, this pipeline facilitates exports that bypass the Strait of Hormuz, although current usage levels are below its full capacity.

Experts have pointed out that while these pipelines serve as important alternatives, they can only partially mitigate major disruptions to Gulf oil shipments.

In light of this, both nations are investigating expansion strategies to boost their export flexibility.

Reports suggest that Saudi Arabia is contemplating increasing the capacity of its East-West pipeline or constructing additional routes, as well as developing new export terminals along its Red Sea coastline, including projects at the ambitious Neom.

Meanwhile, the UAE is assessing the viability of establishing a second pipeline to Fujairah to further enhance its bypass capabilities.

These developments are viewed as relatively swift to implement compared to more intricate cross-border infrastructure projects.

In addition to national expansions, Gulf states are also exploring more extensive regional pipeline networks aimed at bolstering long-term resilience.

Experts believe that an interconnected network of corridors across the region could offer enhanced security compared to isolated routes.

According to industry observers, the current crisis has catalyzed discussions around such initiatives, as highlighted in the report.