SAUDI ARABIA has an extensive pipeline network to enable efficient exports of crude oil and gas to receiving terminals and refineries.

Two major pipelines are in use. The approximately 4.8 million bpd capacity East-West Crude Oil Pipeline (Petroline) is used mainly to transport Arabian Light and Super Light to refineries in the Western Province and to Red Sea terminals for direct export to European markets.

Running parallel to the Petroline is the 270,000 bpd Abqaiq-Yanbu natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline, which serves Yanbu's petrochemical facilities.

Expansion of the Kingdom's pipelines is, however, unlikely at this time, according to officials.

''We have surplus oil export and pipelines capacity ... including the East-West oil pipeline system which is being run at only half of its capacity,'' said Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al Naimi.

In addition, Saudi Arabia's export terminals on the Arabian Gulf can load 14 million bpd but are currently handling less that half that, according to officials.