Attacks on Saudi Energy Facilities Disrupt Output, Leave One Dead
Multiple strikes hit oil, gas and power infrastructure across key regions, raising concerns over global supply stability
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy announced Thursday that some vital energy facilities have recently been subjected to multiple attacks, including oil and gas production facilities, transportation and refining infrastructure, petrochemical facilities, and the electricity sector in Riyadh, the Eastern Province and Yanbu Industrial City.
The attacks resulted in the death of a Saudi national, employee of Electricity Company and injured seven other citizens, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported, citing a ministry official.
The attacks also resulted in the disruption of several operational processes at key facilities within the energy system, it added. The ministry noted that the assaults targeted one of the pumping stations on the vital East-West pipeline, leading to the loss of approximately 700,000 barrels per day in throughput, which is considered the main route for supplying global markets during this period.
It said the Manifa oil field production facility was targeted, reducing its output by about 300,000 barrels per day from its production capacity.
Meanwhile, the Khurais oil field had previously been targeted, causing a reduction of 300,000 barrels per day, bringing the total decrease in the Kingdom’s production capacity to 600,000 barrels per day.
It noted that the attack also targeted main refining facilities including SATORP in Jubail, Ras Tanura and Riyadh refinery, thus affecting directly the exports of LPG.
It stressed that the continuation of such attacks could lead to supply shortages and slow the pace of recovery, which would negatively impact the security of supplies for beneficiary countries and contribute to increased volatility in oil markets.
— KUNA
