Saudi Arabia says fires at Aramco sites under control after drone attacks

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Saudi Aramco describes its Abqaiq oil processing facility there as "the largest crude oil stabilization plant in the world."- Reuters File Photo

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The precise targets and the extent of possible damage were unclear.

By AP

Published: Sat 14 Sep 2019, 9:00 AM

Last updated: Sat 14 Sep 2019, 7:36 PM

Drone attacks on two Saudi Aramco factories in Abqaiq and Khurais provinces on Saturday sparked fires that the state oil company brought under control, the Saudi interior ministry spokesman said without identifying the source of the drones.
The precise targets and the extent of possible damage were unclear. Aramco did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Abqaiq, 60 km (37 miles) southwest of Dhahran in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, contains the world’s largest oil processing plant. Khurais, 190 km further southwest, contains the country’s second largest oilfield.
Security forces foiled an Al Qaeda attack on Abqaiq in 2006.
Aramco is preparing to float shares as early as this year as part of efforts to diversify the economy of the world’s top oil exporter away from crude. It has hired nine banks as joint global coordinators to lead the IPO and has been meeting bankers this week as it speeds up the listing plans.