Saudi gas pipeline set alight briefly
DUBAI/RIYADH, September 3, 2014
A small fire broke out on a gas pipeline in eastern Saudi Arabia after assailants shot at a police patrol, security and oil industry sources said, in an incident that may heighten concern about the vulnerability of Saudi energy infrastructure.
The pipeline has been repaired and there was no impact on oil or gas production in the world's top crude exporter, the sources said.
But the incident marks the first time the kingdom's physical energy infrastructure has been damaged in a violent attack since 2006, when Saudi security forces foiled an attack by al Qaeda militants on the giant Abqaiq processing plant.
The brief fire was started by a bullet hitting the pipeline after shots were fired at a police car patrolling the oil-rich Eastern Province early, said Interior Ministry spokesman Major General Mansour Turki. One policeman was wounded in the leg, he said.
The news had little immediate impact on oil prices but many are keeping a watchful eye on the Middle East region, which is becoming increasingly fractured along sectarian lines.
"Given the already heightened tensions in the region at the moment, including between Sunnis and Shi'ites, any incident that leads to damage to Saudi energy infrastructure is going to be of concern to oil markets," said Simon Wardell analyst at IHS Global Insight in London.
A resident in the eastern district of Qatif said the incident had taken place close to a checkpoint at the entrance to the village of Awamiya, but that it had caused no damage to homes or other property.
"It wasn't very big or loud, but people in Awamiya and the neighbouring village of Safwa heard it," he said. -- Reuters
