Saudi Arabia Shut Down Major Refinery After Houthi Attack

File image

Saudi Aramco has shut down its 400,000-barrel-per-day Jazan oil refinery following an attack by Yemen’s Houthis (Ansar Allah), according to a note from the consultancy International Institute for Research (IIR) seen by Reuters on July 28.

The refinery was closed on July 27, two days after the attack, which caused damage to the facility’s integrated gasification combined cycle complex and the tank farm area, the IIR note said. Aramco expects to complete repairs and restart the plant by August 15, it added.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced on July 25 that the group had successfully targeted Saudi Aramco facilities in both Jazan and Yanbu.

Satellite imagery from the European Union’s Sentinel-2 revealed a fire was still raging at parts of the refinery in Jazan as of July 27. They also show fire at a nearby bulk plant facility owned by Aramco.

The imagery also revealed damage at the Yanbu Bulk Plant. The nearby Alhamrani-Fuchs Blending & Grease Plant also appears to have sustained heavy damage, with much of the facility seemingly destroyed by fire.

In addition to the attacks on Jazan and Yanbu, the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack that targeted Aramco’s largest oil processing facility in Abqaiq on July 27. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia said that the attack originated from Iraq, accusing Iran-backed armed factions there.

Recent Sentinel-2 imagery also revealed extensive damage at the facility, which is capable of handling about 7 million barrels per day.

There is still no clear information on how these recent strikes have impacted the export of Saudi oil, but the impact is most likely significant.

Coupled with the ongoing Houthi maritime blockade on Saudi Red Sea ports, and the Iranian blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, the main gate of the Persian Gulf, the kingdom will likely face serious difficulties exporting its oil. The global energy market will be hit hard, although not quickly. Saudi oil makes up close to 15 percent of world supplies.

Any further escalation, whether against Yemen, Iraq, or Iran itself, won’t be in favor of Saudi Arabia, as it could expose more oil facilities to similar attacks.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence

NOW hosted at southfront.press

Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.

The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation

Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com

SOUTHFRONT.PRESS

MORE ON THIS TOPIC:

 

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Emanuel, do Brasil

olhando pras imagens de satélite, a monarquia saudita em chamas! colírio para os olhos ver a arábia vista de cima neste momento👏
lembrem-se:
a maioria dos sequestradores do 11 de setembro era de nacionalidade saudita. dos 19 terroristas da al-qaeda que participaram diretamente dos ataques, 15 vinham da arábia saudita.
ela não merece estar em chamas?🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Last edited 1 hour ago by Emanuel, do Brasil
the narrative

a light tap, partial temporary disablement. pipelines and shipping centers next? the saudis have cast their lot with globalists. caring nothing for its peoples or region. denying its real power.

protectourfreedumbs

wait till the shadies have fully repaired it, then blow it up again!