Falling debris from a drone intercepted while it was aimed at Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oil field killed two people and injured two others when it started a fire in a contractor’s vehicle on Wednesday, while Brent crude rose about 1.2% to around $110 a barrel on Thursday amid renewed supply concerns.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said those killed were Filipino and Nepali nationals, while those injured were Indian and Pakistani nationals. The vehicle was outside the facility’s perimeter. The ministry said oilfield operations were not affected.
Authorities did not identify who launched the drone. In the ministry’s account, responsibility for the incident remained unclear. The attack came amid wider conflict in the region and increased concern about threats to energy infrastructure and shipping.
The reported price rise does not show that Shaybah’s production was interrupted. Brent futures rose $1.29 to $110.11 a barrel in early trading Thursday. U.S. crude also rose.
The incident added to market anxiety about possible supply disruptions. Investors were weighing security risks across the region.