- Attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure have disrupted supply to Europe, causing rising oil prices.
- A pipeline attack has disrupted crude oil flow from Saudi Arabia, impacting European supply.
Attack on Sitra Refinery Disrupts Operations and Energy Flows
What happened
On March 9, 2026, Bapco declared force majeure after an attack disrupted operations at the Sitra refinery complex in Bahrain. The facility, which had been upgraded to a capacity of 405,000 barrels per day, was the target of the incident. Much of the refinery's operation relies on the 118-kilometre AB4 pipeline linking Sitra to Saudi Aramco’s Abqaiq facilities.
Why it matters
The incident occurred amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, drawing regional energy infrastructure into the conflict. The AB4 pipeline carries approximately 350,000 barrels per day of feedstock to Saudi Aramco’s operations. The disruption impacts regional energy flows from Saudi Arabia.
A pipeline attack has disrupted crude oil flow from Saudi Arabia, impacting European supply. Attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure have disrupted supply to Europe, causing rising oil prices.
Who's involved
- BahrainHome country of the Sitra refinery complex
- SitraThe refinery complex that experienced the operational shutdown
- Saudi AramcoReceives feedstock via the AB4 pipeline from the Sitra refinery
- Saudi ArabiaThe country whose facilities are connected to the Sitra refinery via the AB4 pipeline
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Saudi ArabiaSpeculative
Saudi Arabia's oil production could face supply chain risks from the incident.
Keep exploring
The entities involved
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Saudi Arabia
country in West Asia
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Bahrain
country in the Persian Gulf
Related events
- Attacks forced the shutdown of the oil export line of the East-West Pipeline.
- Houthis attacked a Saudi oil pipeline, coinciding with major demands and pacts from the EU and BRICS.
- Potential negotiations over the Iran conflict and pipeline restart eased concerns about oil supply.
- A key Saudi pipeline shut down due to militant activity on September 14, 2026.
- Pipeline damage and conflict tensions disrupted Saudi oil transport, forcing the use of alternative export routes from Yanbu.