Suicide Attack on Saudi Oil Facility

From the AP:

An explosion occurred Friday at a major oil refinery in Buqayq, eastern Saudi Arabia, a Saudi oil official said.

The explosion was caused by a vehicle packed with explosives that was detonated by the shots of security guards who fired on it as it tried to drive into the refinery, a reporter for the pan-Arab satellite channel Al-Arabiya TV said.

There was no immediate confirmation of the report from the Saudi authorities.

Earlier Al-Arabiya quoted its reporter in the kingdom as saying shots as well as an explosion were heard, and they may have been part of an attempt to attack the refinery.

From Reuters:

Suicide bombers tried to storm an oil facility in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province on Friday, a security source said.

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

Al Arabiya television said Saudi forces killed the attackers.

Authorities have brought under control a fire at a pipeline following a blast at the oil facility, Al Arabiya television said.

The Saudi-owned channel quoted security sources as saying only one unit at the oil facility, which includes processing and pumping stations that send oil to major Saudi export terminals, had been damaged but did not say which one. Saudi oil officials were not immediately available for comment.

Oil prices shot up and shares eased on the Saudi news.

More later, if warranted.

UPDATE: For a complete roundup, check out The Counterterrorism Blog.

Technorati tags: Energy, Oil, Saudi Arabia