The attack hitting the Abqaiq and Khurais sites in Saudi Arabia is very complicated for a drone and there is information that it is an attack by cruise missiles, former deputy under-secretary of the U.S. Department of State said Monday.
Speaking at the 20th International Energy Arena held by Strategic Technical Economic Research Center (STEAM), Matthew Bryza, former deputy under-secretary of the U.S. Department of State, stated that the production at Saudi Aramco's oil facilities corresponds to a significant portion of global oil production.
On Sept. 14, it is reported that two drone attacks hit the Abqaiq and Khurais facilities. Abqaiq is home to the state-owned Saudi Aramco’s largest oil processing plant.
Saudi Arabia temporarily cut its oil production from its two oil facilities run by the Saudi Aramco. The attacks caused the country to cut of 5.7 million barrels per day oil supply from Abqaiq and Khurais sites.
The Saudi oil production fell by more than half per day after the attacks, leading to a jump in the oil prices.
International benchmark Brent crude climbed to as high as $71.62 per barrel to hit its highest level since May 22, and was trading at $66.68 a barrel at 0545 GMT on Monday with a 10.7% increase from its Friday close.
Bryza said that it is impossible to organize such a massive attack by amateurs.
'I have sources from governments and global energy sector. My sources say that there is a cruise missile attack on the facilities. Such an attack points to the latest attitude of Iran,' he claimed.
Chief Economic Advisor at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Ajay Chhibber, also stated that the attacks contributed more to the uncertainty of the global energy sector.
He pointed out that the global energy sector already has a number of risks and uncertainties deriving from global warming, rapid change of the energy production and consumption habits, changing regulations and cyber attacks.
'The attacks led the oil prices soar and we do not know how long this process will last. The attacks could make the outlook of the Middle East more negative,' he underlined.
By Nuran Erkul Kaya and Muhsin Baris Tiryakioglu
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr