Riyadh: Saudi Arabia announced Thursday that operations were halted at several energy facilities in the kingdom due to a recent wave of attacks.
According to Anadolu Agency, the state news agency SPA reported that an official source in the Energy Ministry confirmed multiple attacks on vital energy facilities. These attacks targeted oil and gas production, transportation, refining facilities, and petrochemical and electricity plants located in Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and Yanbu Industrial City.
The source further revealed that a Saudi citizen working for the Saudi Energy Company was killed and seven others were injured in these attacks, which disrupted various operational processes at key power facilities. One significant attack targeted a pumping station on the East-West pipeline, leading to a reduction of approximately 700,000 barrels per day in the pumped volume through this crucial supply route for global markets.
Additionally, the Manifa production plant suffered a decrease in its production capacity by around 300,000 barrels per day due to another attack. The Khurais plant, located northeast of Riyadh, was also targeted, resulting in a drop in its production capacity by 300,000 barrels per day. Consequently, the Kingdom’s total production capacity has reduced by 600,000 barrels per day.
The source also mentioned that major refining facilities, including SATORP’s facilities in Jubail, Ras Tanura refinery, SAMREF refinery in Yanbu, and Riyadh refinery, were targeted, directly impacting the export of refined products to global markets. Processing facilities in Al Ju’aymah were hit by fires, affecting the exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas liquids.
The source warned that these attacks could lead to supply shortages and slow the pace of recovery, affecting the security of supplies for dependent countries and increasing volatility in oil markets. The negative impact on the global economy is significant, especially as a portion of global operational and emergency reserves have been depleted, impacting reserve availability.
The source did not specify the exact timing of these attacks. Meanwhile, regional tensions have escalated following a joint US and Israel offensive on Iran on February 28, which resulted in over 3,000 fatalities, including the then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Tehran has launched drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Iran has also imposed restrictions on ship movements through the Strait of Hormuz.