Energy facilities across Saudi Arabia disrupted on recent attacks: Official

Energy facilities across Saudi Arabia were recently attacked, including oil and gas production, transportation and refining assets, as well as petrochemical and power facilities in Riyadh, the Eastern Province and Yanbu Industrial City, a Saudi Energy Ministry official said.

The attacks resulted in the death of a Saudi national from the industrial security personnel at Saudi Energy Co., and injuries to seven other employees. They attacks disrupted several operational processes at key facilities within the energy system.

According to the state-run SPA, the attacks included a pumping station on the critical East-West pipeline, causing a loss of around 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) in throughput. The pipeline is a key route for supplying global markets during this period.

Manifa production facility was also targeted, resulting in a reduction of nearly 300,000 bpd. The Khurais facility had previously been targeted, leading to a reduction of 300,000 bpd, trimming the Kingdom’s overall capacity by 600,000 bpd.

The attacks extended to major refining facilities, including SATORP in Jubail, Ras Tanura refinery, SAMREF in Yanbu, and Riyadh refinery. This directly affected exports of refined products to global markets.

Processing facilities in Ju’aymah were also hit by fires, impacting exports of LPG and natural gas liquids.

The Energy Ministry said continued attacks are tightening supply and slowing recovery. This is undermining supply security for importing countries and increasing volatility in oil markets.

It added that the situation is weighing on the global economy, as a large portion of operational and emergency reserves has been drawn down, limiting the ability to respond to supply shortages.