Attacks on key energy facilities in Saudi Arabia have reduced the kingdom’s oil production capacity by around 600,000 barrels per day and cut the flow of its East-West pipeline by about 700,000 barrels per day, according to the Saudi energy ministry.
Saudi state news agency SPA reported that the strikes also disrupted operations at major oil, gas, refining, petrochemical, and power facilities in Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and Yanbu.
One member of the industrial security force of the Saudi energy company was killed, while seven other Saudi employees were wounded in the attacks. Saudi authorities did not identify who launched the missiles.
Saudi Arabia has faced repeated missile and drone attacks since the start of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. Saudi officials said most of the projectiles were intercepted, but several struck strategic energy facilities.
Among the damaged sites was a pumping station along the East-West pipeline, one of Saudi Arabia’s most important routes for exporting crude to global markets. The strike reduced the pipeline’s capacity by around 700,000 barrels per day.
The Manifa oilfield was also hit, reducing production by around 300,000 barrels per day. A previous strike on the Khurais oil field had already cut another 300,000 barrels per day, bringing the total reduction in Saudi oil production to about 600,000 barrels per day.
Major refining facilities were also affected, including the SATORP refinery, the Ras Tanura refinery, the SAMREF refinery, and the Riyadh refinery. Fires at gas processing facilities in Ju’aymah also disrupted exports of liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas liquids.
The attacks have heightened fears of tighter global oil supplies and rising prices. Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter, and prolonged disruption to its production and export infrastructure could worsen volatility in global energy markets. Analysts described the attacks as a major blow both to Saudi production and to alternative export routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi officials warned that continued attacks could further reduce supply, slow recovery efforts, and threaten energy security for countries dependent on Saudi oil. They added that operational and emergency reserves have already been significantly depleted.
