Houthi Drone Strike Reported at Aramco North Ghawar Oil Complex in Saudi Arabia

Reports of a Houthi drone strike on Aramco’s North Ghawar oil complex in Saudi Arabia emerged today, with images showing smoke rising above the site.

Neither Aramco nor Saudi Arabia has confirmed the cause of the smoke or the extent of any damage at North Ghawar. The Houthi movement has also not been independently verified as responsible.

If confirmed, the drone strike would follow a summer of Houthi attacks on Aramco sites. On August 9 a fire hit Aramco’s Jizan refinery and Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed a drone strike on that facility.

Ghawar is widely regarded as the largest conventional oil field in the world. A drone strike at North Ghawar would therefore be a serious escalation for Saudi Arabia and for oil markets.

Watch for official statements from Aramco and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy on the North Ghawar incident. This story is developing and will be updated as verified information on the Houthi drone strike becomes available.