Saudi Aramco has resumed operations at its Ras Tanura oil refinery after a temporary shutdown caused by a drone attack earlier this month.
Gatekeepers News reports that the company halted activities at the facility on March 2 following a fire triggered by debris from what was described as an Iranian drone strike.
According to a Bloomberg report on Wednesday, operations have now been restored at the strategic refinery.
“Saudi Arabia’s biggest oil refinery has restarted operations after being halted due to a drone attack earlier this month, according to a person familiar with the matter,” the report said.
The Ras Tanura complex, located on Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast, is one of the largest refining facilities in the Middle East, with a processing capacity of about 550,000 barrels per day.
Regional Tensions Disrupt Energy Supply
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where ongoing conflict has continued to disrupt key energy infrastructure.
On the same day as the Aramco shutdown, QatarEnergy suspended liquefied natural gas (LNG) production following Iranian military attacks on its facilities.
A day later, the company also announced a halt in the production of some downstream petroleum products.
Oil Prices Surge Amid Supply Concerns
The disruptions have contributed to volatility in global energy markets, with crude oil prices rising to $100 per barrel on March 12.
In Nigeria, the Dangote Refinery said it has also felt the impact of the global situation, noting that it sources crude oil based on international pricing benchmarks.
The latest developments highlight the vulnerability of global energy supply chains to geopolitical conflicts in the region.
