Saudi Arabia’s Biggest Oil Refinery Halts After Drone Attack

Aramco halted operations at Saudi Arabia’s largest refinery at Ras Tanura on the Persian Gulf coast after a drone strike in the area, according to people familiar with the matter.Author of the article:You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Aramco halted operations at Saudi Arabia’s largest refinery at Ras Tanura on the Persian Gulf coast after a drone strike in the area, according to people familiar with the matter.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Gasoil futures jumped on news of the closure of the refinery that’s a key supplier of diesel. Aramco shut the 550,000 barrel-per-day Ras Tanura plant, on Monday as a precaution while assessing damage, the people familiar with developments said, asking not to be named because the information is not yet public. There was a “limited” fire at the plant, caused by debris from the interception of two drones that were targeting the facility, the official Saudi Press Agency said. The blaze was under control, the people familiar with the developments said. Aramco’s media office did not have an immediate comment.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.ICE gasoil futures surged more than 20%, the biggest intraday gain since March 2022, while crude oil in London was trading about 10% higher near $80 a barrel. Hostilities in the Middle East started over the weekend with the US and Israel attacking Iran and Tehran firing hundreds of missiles and drones at countries around the region in retaliation. An attack on major energy infrastructure is a nightmare scenario for oil markets with maritime traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz already all but halting as tensions escalate.The Ras Tanura refinery is a key supplier of transport fuels like diesel for buyers in Europe and produces smaller quantities of gasoline. Nearby is Aramco’s biggest export terminal for crude and oil products, including storage tanks, berths at the port and offshore loading points.—With assistance from Anthony Di Paola and Julian Lee.Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4© 2026 Financial Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can manage saved articles in your account.and save up to 100 articles!You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.