The United States ordered non-emergency personnel to evacuate Saudi Arabia following Houthi drone attacks on Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield, which resulted in two fatalities. These security threats drove Brent crude prices to surge, reaching $114.14 per barrel by October 23. In response to the attacks on energy infrastructure, President Donald Trump classified petroleum production as vital to national defense. Additionally, the Defense Production Act was invoked to provide financial incentives for the U.S. oil and gas industry.
Houthi attacks and navigation risks in the Strait of Hormuz stoked concerns about disrupted flows, while estimates showed regional crude exports remained below the pre-Iran war average.
Read the full storyFlights were diverted from Dammam airport following the attack, while the Energy Ministry confirmed that operations at the Shaybah field continued despite deaths and injuries from debris of a drone intercepted by Saudi defenses.
The US State Department ordered non-essential personnel to depart Saudi Arabia following a deadly Houthi drone strike on a major Saudi Aramco oil facility.