Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline was targeted in an attack in the Medina region, triggering a small fire that was later brought under control.
State media reported on Monday that the incident caused no casualties or injuries and did not disrupt the pipeline’s operations.
Stretching approximately 1,200 kilometres across the Arabian Peninsula, the strategic pipeline was temporarily shut down for several days in September following drone attacks that Riyadh blamed on Iraqi militias.
The route has become increasingly important since the conflict in the Middle East disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Saudi Arabia has diverted around four million barrels of crude oil per day through the pipeline to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, representing roughly 4% of global oil supply.
The alternative export route has helped shield Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, from the severe consequences of the Strait of Hormuz shutdown, which has significantly disrupted oil exports from neighbouring countries.
