Oil pipelines multiply routes, but Hormuz threat endures

Seven planned pipelines aim to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, potentially boosting Gulf export capacity to around 14 million barrels per day by 2028 (over 60% of pre-war Gulf output). But experts say these routes won't remove risk, since Iran can attack facilities along pipelines and Red Sea transit remains vulnerable to Houthi threats; the U.S. backs Iraq's Kirkuk–Syria–Mediterranean project, while UAE and Saudi expansions via Fujairah and the Red Sea diversify exits.