Saudi Arabia announced that recent attacks on its energy infrastructure had severely reduced its oil production and disrupted a key pipeline, exacerbating tensions in global energy markets.
According to a source at the Saudi Ministry of Energy quoted by the official SPA news agency, the kingdom's crude oil production has decreased by approximately 600,000 barrels per day. Simultaneously, the flow rate of the East-West Pipeline, a strategic artery allowing oil to be transported without passing through the Strait of Hormuz, has been reduced by about 700,000 barrels per day.
The authorities have not specified the exact origin of these attacks, but Saudi Arabia recently intercepted several missiles and drones attributed to Iran in the context of the ongoing regional conflict.
The strikes hit major energy sector facilities, including oil, gas and petrochemical sites, as well as electrical infrastructure located in Riyadh, the Eastern Province and the Yanbu industrial zone.
This reduction in production capacity comes at a time when the global market is already under pressure due to disruptions related to the conflict. The price of Brent crude rose, reaching nearly $96 a barrel after the announcement.
The East-West pipeline is of particular importance in times of crisis, as it constitutes an essential alternative to the passage through the Strait of Hormuz, whose traffic is currently restricted.
Analysts believe that any further reduction in export volumes could worsen the global energy situation, already weakened by geopolitical tensions.
These new disruptions underscore the vulnerability of energy infrastructure in the region and the increased risks to global oil supply, as clashes continue in the Middle East.
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