Saudi Arabia Is on High Alert After Oil Plant Attack

bloomberg: Saudi Arabian security forces are on "high alert" for further attacks following an attempt yesterday by militants to blow up the Abqaiq oil center, which handles two-thirds of supply from the world's largest producer.

"Security in the whole eastern province is being extra vigilant at checkpoints," Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour Al-Turki said by phone today. Two suicide car bombs aimed at destroying the Abqaiq oil facility in the Saudi eastern province were intercepted in a gun battle yesterday.
"We have confidence that we're already taking adequate steps and stopping yesterday's attack proves that," Al-Turki said. Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack. Forensic DNA tests were being done to determined the identity of the assailants, Al-Turki said.

Crude oil for April delivery jumped $2.37, or 3.9 percent, to $62.91 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the highest close since Feb. 7 following the attack yesterday on concerns of further attempts to disrupt the country's oil production.

'Immense Significance'

"After a 13-month hiatus in attacks in the kingdom, it's of immense significance as it's the first concerted effort by al-Qaeda to target one of Saudi's most strategic oil facilities," said Meg Williams, vice president of the Olive Group, an international security and risk consultant, in a phone interview today. Read more