RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s critical energy facilities have recently come under multiple attacks targeting oil and gas production, transportation, refining facilities, and petrochemical and power infrastructure in Riyadh, Eastern Province, and Yanbu Industrial City, an official Energy Ministry official said.
The attack killed one Saudi national working in industrial security for a Saudi energy company and injured seven others. Several critical operational processes across the energy system were also disrupted.
Among the affected facilities was a critical East-West Pipeline pumping station, resulting in throughput losses of approximately 700,000 barrels per day. This pipeline is an important route to supply the global market this season.
Production facilities in Manifa were also targeted, reducing production by approximately 300,000 barrels per day. An earlier attack on the Khurais facility caused a similar drop of 300,000 barrels per day, bringing total Saudi production capacity losses to around 600,000 barrels per day.
The attacks spread to major refining facilities such as SATORP in Jubail, Ras Tanura Refinery, SAMREF in Yanbu, and Riyadh Refinery, directly impacting the export of refined products to global markets.
A fire also struck a processing facility in Juaymah, affecting exports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquid natural gas.
The official warned that continued targeting of energy infrastructure could lead to supply shortages and slow recovery efforts, posing risks to global energy security and increasing oil market volatility.
This trend is already having a negative impact on the global economy, particularly as significant portions of operational and emergency stocks have been depleted, limiting the ability to respond to supply disruptions.
