Reports are emerging of a fresh incident at Saudi Aramco’s critical Ras Tanura oil refinery and export terminal, with claims of an unknown projectile strike and employee evacuations, according to shipping intelligence firm Kpler. This follows closely on the heels of a confirmed drone attack on March 2, 2026, that forced a temporary shutdown of operations at the site.
The latest development, circulating via industry sources and social media, describes Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura complex being struck again by an unidentified projectile. Employees were reportedly evacuated as a precautionary measure. While official confirmation from Saudi authorities or Aramco remains limited at the time of writing, the reports align with heightened security concerns in the Gulf amid escalating regional conflicts.
Background on Recent Ras Tanura Incident
This comes just days after a confirmed drone attack on March 2, 2026, when Iranian drones reportedly targeted the Ras Tanura refinery. Saudi defenses intercepted the drones, but debris caused a limited fire, prompting a temporary shutdown of the 550,000 barrels-per-day facility. Workers were seen evacuating the area as smoke rose, according to eyewitness footage and reports from Reuters, Bloomberg, and other outlets.
Saudi officials stated the situation was quickly contained with no injuries or major supply disruptions at the time. However, the initial strike contributed to sharp spikes in global oil and gas prices, with Brent crude surging toward $80 per barrel and European gas benchmarks jumping significantly, amid fears of broader disruptions in the region—including the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest reports suggest renewed threats to the facility, raising fresh concerns about energy security in the Gulf.