Saudi Aramco Reports 25% Profit Jump Amid Oil Shipping Disruption

Saudi Aramco reported a 25% rise in first-quarter profit as the Iran-US war disrupted oil supplies and forced the company to shift some exports through its East-West Pipeline, Reuters reported.

Strong Financial Performance

The world’s largest oil exporter earned a net profit of $32.5 billion in the three months ending March 31, up 25% year-on-year.

Total revenue jumped nearly 7% from the previous year to $115.49 billion, driven by higher prices and increased sales volumes of crude oil, refined products, and chemicals.

East-West Pipeline at Maximum Capacity

Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supplies, has forced Aramco to redirect oil flows through its East-West Pipeline, which is now operating at full capacity.

“Our East-West Pipeline, which reached its maximum capacity of 7.0 million barrels of oil per day, has proven itself to be a critical supply artery, helping to mitigate the impact of a global energy shock,” said Aramco CEO Amin Nasser.

Reuters also reported that the East-West Pipeline can supply about 2 million barrels per day to refineries on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, leaving around 5 million barrels per day available for export through the Red Sea. 

Import-Dependent Countries Bear the Cost

While Saudi Arabia can bypass the Strait of Hormuz using its East-West Pipeline, import-dependent countries like Pakistan have no such alternative.

Pakistan relies heavily on imported fuel and crude oil, so any disruption in global oil routes can quickly translate into higher import costs and pressure at the pump.

Petrol was around Rs. 268 per liter before the Iran-US conflict started. After the conflict and several price revisions over four months, it is now above Rs. 400 per liter.

What to Watch Next

For Pakistan, the key question is how long the disruption in global oil shipping continues and how much of that pressure is passed on to local consumers.

Aramco’s results show how major oil exporters can protect supply and benefit from higher prices during a crisis. For import-dependent countries like Pakistan, the same crisis means higher fuel bills, a larger import burden, and more pressure on ordinary drivers.

If oil routes remain unstable, fuel prices in Pakistan could stay under pressure in the coming months.