Riyadh, April 09 (QNA) - Key energy facilities in Saudi Arabia, including oil, gas, petrochemical, and electricity installations, have been hit in a series of recent attacks, a senior official at the country's Energy Ministry has said.

Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency, the official said the attacks affected facilities in Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the industrial city of Yanbu.

He confirmed that one industrial security employee at the Saudi Energy Company was killed and seven others were injured. Several critical operations across the energy sector have also been disrupted.

Among the impacted sites is a pumping station on the vital East-West pipeline, causing a loss of approximately 700,000 barrels per day—a key supply route for global markets. The Manifa oil production plant was also targeted, reducing output by around 300,000 barrels per day, while the Khurais plant had previously been hit, cutting another 300,000 barrels per day. Together, these attacks have slashed Saudi Arabia's production capacity by roughly 600,000 barrels daily.

Refining facilities were also affected, including SATORP refinery in Jubail, Ras Tannurah refinery, SAMREF refinery in Yanbu, and Riyadh refinery, directly impacting exports of refined products. Gas processing plants in Al Juaymah were hit by fires, affecting shipments of liquefied petroleum gas and natural gas liquids.

The ministry warned that continued attacks could worsen supply shortages, slow recovery efforts, and heighten volatility in global oil markets. The situation could strain global energy reserves, limiting the ability to respond to supply disruptions and negatively impacting the global economy. (QNA)