Ras Tanura Oil Refinery Fire: Saudi Arabia Says Drone Debris Sparked Blaze

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) issued a statement on Monday, March 2, over the Saudi state-run spa news agency over reports of the Ras Tanura oil refinery fire. The Saudi Defence Ministry has said that two drone, suspected Iranian missile drones, that “attempted to attack” the Ras Tanura refinery this morning were intercepted by an anti-drone system and destroyed.

The debris of intercepted drones fell and burst into fire, according to the KSA government, it said, adding that there were no civilian casualties, reported Al Jazeera. Also Read | Saudi Aramco Ras Tanura Oil Refinery Shuts Down After Drone Attack.

According to reports, Iran's drones have struck the Saudi Aramco-owned refinery, which produces 550,000 barrels per day, one of Saudi Arabia’s key oil processing facilities.

Earlier, state oil giant Aramco had reportedly shut its Ras Tanura refinery after it was hit by a drone, entering conflict on the third day in the Middle East following Israel-US strikes against Tehran, killing at least 400 people, the Iranian Red Crescent Society has said.

The Ras Tanura complex houses one of the Middle East's largest oil refineries with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day and serves as a critical export terminal for Saudi crude. The facility was closed for precautionary measures, and the situation is now said to be under control after fire was doused. Also Read | Dubai Airport Flight Status: International Airports in UAE Extend Flight Suspension Amid Middle East Tensions.

This will be the major concern for the global oil market companies as supply is already impacted as Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz route, through which around a fifth of global oil consumption flows, Brent crude futures surged roughly 10% on Monday.

The attack in Saudi will likely to bring Gulf nations closer to joining US and Israel operations in Iran, said Torbjorn Soltvedt, Principal Middle East Analyst at risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft.