1、CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i Attacks on Saudi Oil Facilities: Effects and Responses Heather L. Greenley Analyst in Energy Policy Michael Ratner Specialist in Energy Policy Christopher M. Blanchard Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs October 1, 2019 S
2、eptember 14, 2019, saw an attack on Saudi Aramcos, Saudi Arabias national oil company, Abqaiq oil processing facility and Khurais oil field and processing plant. The attack, which used both missiles and drones, temporarily disrupted 5.7 million barrels per day (mb/d) of oil production, over half of
3、Saudi Arabias oil production and about 5% of global supply. For context, U.S. crude oil production is approximately 12 mb/d. Abqaiq Facility Abqaiq is a key processing facility for Saudi Arabia crude. Two important functions provided by Abqaiq include (1) crude oil stabilization, a process that remo
4、ves hydrogen sulfide and reduces the volatility of crude oil to specifications required for shipping, and (2) gas oil separation, where oil is separated from other hydrocarbons such as methane, butane, and propane. The Abqaiq facility was reportedly operating at about 4.9 mb/d prior to the attack an
