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Saudi Arabia Shuts East-West Oil Pipeline After Drone Attacks
Saudi Arabia temporarily stopped an important oil pipeline after it was attacked.
The attacks happened on Thursday in the Riyadh and Madinah regions.
Some people were injured.
Saudi Arabia said drones launched from Iraq were responsible.
Emergency workers were sent to protect and inspect the pipeline.
The pipeline moves oil to ports on the Red Sea, giving Saudi Arabia another route besides the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia said it would not attack back immediately after a request from Iraq's prime minister.
The attacks increased worries about oil supplies, and oil prices rose during the week.
Saudi Arabia temporarily shut its East-West oil pipeline after multiple attacks targeted it in the Riyadh and Madinah regions.
The Energy Ministry said several people were injured and emergency teams were assessing and securing the facility.
Saudi Arabia later said drones launched from Iraq targeted the pipeline, but it would not retaliate for now following a request from Iraq's prime minister.
The pipeline can carry 7 million barrels per day from eastern oil fields to Red Sea export terminals, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices ended the week more than 8 percent higher amid concerns about attacks on key Middle Eastern energy routes.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia, with the attacks later attributed by Riyadh to drones launched from Iraq.
- What
- The East-West oil pipeline was temporarily shut after multiple attacks.
- Where
- The pipeline was targeted in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh and Madinah regions.
- When
- The attacks occurred on Thursday morning, and the shutdown was announced on Friday.
- Why
- The pipeline was closed as a precaution while emergency teams secured and assessed it after the attacks.
De-escalation
Retaliation
How Saudi Arabia should respond
De-escalation
Saudi Arabia should avoid immediate retaliation, consistent with its decision to hold back after a request from Iraq's prime minister.
Retaliation
Saudi Arabia reserved the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security and critical infrastructure.
Key facts
- Pipeline capacity
- 7 million barrels per day
- Pipeline route
- From Saudi Arabia's eastern oil fields to export terminals on the Red Sea
- People injured
- Several people were injured in the pipeline attacks
- Saudi response
- Saudi Arabia said it would not retaliate for now after a request from Iraq's prime minister
- Alternative route
- The pipeline reduces Saudi Arabia's dependence on the Strait of Hormuz
- Latest crude prices
- Brent fell 2.8 percent to $104.61 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate fell 2.4 percent to $100.05
- Weekly oil movement
- Crude prices ended the week more than 8 percent higher
Sources
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