"Most spectacular" Saudi oil target attacked

Reuters: Suicide bombers attack Saudi oil facility

At least two cars exploded at the gates of Saudi Arabia's huge Abqaiq oil facility on Friday when security forces fired on suicide bombers trying to storm the world's biggest oil processing plant, Saudi officials said.

Saudi state television said oil output was unaffected. Oil prices had jumped $2 (1.14 pounds) a barrel on news of the attacks against the world's largest oil exporter and a key U.S. ally.

"Security forces foiled an attempted suicide attack at the Abqaiq refinery using at least two cars," an official said.

It was the first direct militant strike against crude oil facilities since Al Qaeda militants launched a campaign of suicide bombings aimed at toppling the kingdom's pro-Western leaders in May 2003. It came a year after Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden urged supporters to hit oil targets in the Gulf.

"The damage was only limited to a fire, which was brought under control immediately. Production operations were not affected," Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry said.

The prospect of an Al Qaeda attack on Saudi Arabia has been a doomsday scenario for oil consumer nations heavily reliant on Saudi oil. The kingdom accounts for around a sixth of the world's oil exports, supplying 7.5 million barrels a day. Read more

Current crude oil: 62.50 +1.96 [-30mins]