Saudi oil plant attacks: Story so far

Here’s a look back at the fateful events of September 14 and the aftermath

WHEN THE CLOCKS STOPPED

At 4am on September 14, oil processing facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais in Saudi Arabia were attacked by what was initially reported as a swarm of armed drones

17 POINTS OF IMPACT

There were at least 17 points of impact at Abqaiq, the world’s largest oil-processing facility, and more at Khurais

LARGEST DISRUPTION

Saudi oil production fell by 5.7 million barrels a day from 9.8 mn, probably the largest disruption to the oil market

BLEAK FUTURE

Repair of the Abqaiq facility is unlikely to be completed by September end and could take months, and a full restoration can be possible only by end of the year

TARGET ONE

Abqaiq is the world’s largest oil-processing facility and handled about half of Saudi Aramco’s production last year. It treats crude from Saudi Arabia’s giant onshore fields

TARGET TWO

Khurais is Saudi Arabia’s second largest oil field, with the capacity to pump 1.45 million barrels a day of Arabian Light crude

CHILLING IMAGES

Photos of the aftermath of the attacks at Abqaiq, released by the US, show puncture marks on tanks

NOPE, SAYS POMPEO

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo dismissed Houthi rebels’ claim, pinning the blame on Iran

WAS IT IRAN, THEN?

25 pilotless aircraft and cruise missiles of Iranian origin were used to attack the two sites, the Saudi defense ministry said at a press briefing four days after the incident, where it displayed the remains of some of them.