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Minister of Energy: Terrorist attacks on "Abqaiq and Khurais" plants have resulted in a temporary halt in production operations; decrease for its customers will be offset by stocks
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Energy, stated that on Saturday 15th of Muharram 1441H corresponding to 14 September 2019, at 3:31 and 3:42 am, several explosions occurred as a result of terrorist attacks in Saudi Aramco plants in Khurais and Abqaiq. They resulted in fires that were controlled. He pointed out that this terrorist act resulted in the temporary suspension of production operations at Abqaiq and Khurais plants. According to preliminary estimates, these explosions led to the interruption of a quantity of crude oil supplies estimated at 5.7 million barrels, or about 50% of the company's production. Part of the decrease will be compensated for its customers through stocks. The Minister explained that these explosions have also led to the cessation of the production of associated gas estimated at (2) billion cubic feet per day, used to produce 700 thousand barrels of natural gas liquids, which will reduce the supply of ethane and natural gas liquids by up to about (50%). As for the local supplies, he stressed that this attack has not resulted in any impact on the supply of electricity and water from fuel, or on the supply of fuel to the local market, nor resulted in any injuries among workers at these sites so far, and the company is still in the process of assessing the implications of this. He also explained that the company is currently working to recover the lost quantities, and will provide within the next 48 hours updated information. The Minister of Energy said that this terrorist attack and sabotage is an extension of the recent attacks that targeted oil and civil facilities, pumping stations and oil tankers in the Arabian Gulf. The minister stressed that these attacks are not only aimed at the vital installations of the Kingdom, but also on the global oil supply and its security, and thus pose a threat to the global economy. It once again highlights the importance of the international community undertaking its role in maintaining energy supplies against all terrorist actors who carry out, support and finance such cowardly acts of sabotage.
