Saudi Arabia: Satellite image reveals major damage that shut crucial oil pipeline - BBC News                            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c65yw2gq2nrno)  (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c65yw2gq2nrno)  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c65yw2gq2nrno)  (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c65yw2gq2nrno)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-36.413a37b227.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-48.010dc96bcf.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-57.1fcd0dc805.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-60.52f68a148f.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-72.f155fdb25f.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-76.cb5ee392d4.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-96.35ee2d1e20.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-114.7ccdf53cba.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-120.73e20442a9.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-128.060d346f09.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-144.e08bc23631.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-152.4de1981be0.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-180.1a18cb7b72.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-192.3ac042fa43.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-384.728e3a03d3.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/touch/news/touch-icon-512.685da29e9e.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/favicon/news/favicon-16.8a240ceacc.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/website/assets/static/icons/favicon/news/favicon-32.5cf4e6db02.png)  (../../../static.files.bbci.co.uk/core/manifest.11b0cb15658c4719a2c19e25644577223adaa7b2.json)   (https://www.bbc.com)   BBC Homepage    (c65yw2gq2nrno@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#main-heading) Skip to content  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/) Accessibility Help          (https://account.bbc.com/account?lang=en-GB&ptrt=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fc65yw2gq2nrno)    Your account       (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (c65yw2gq2nrno@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#global-navigation-more-menu)    More menu     (c65yw2gq2nrno@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#global-navigation-more-menu)   More menu    (https://www.bbc.com/search?d=NEWS_GNL)    Search BBC      (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (c65yw2gq2nrno@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#more-menu-button)   Close menu          (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news)   BBC News      (c65yw2gq2nrno@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#product-navigation-menu)    Menu  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news) Home   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cmj34zmwm1zt) Climate   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world) World   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/us_and_canada) US & Canada   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk) UK   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business) Business   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology) Tech   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment) Science   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment_and_arts) Entertainment & Arts   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health) Health     (c65yw2gq2nrno@at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss.html#product-navigation-more-menu)    More     (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in_pictures) In Pictures   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bbcverify) BBC Verify   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat) Newsbeat         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/bbcverify) BBC Verify           Satellite image reveals major damage that shut crucial Saudi oil pipeline      (A satellite image of a damaged oil refinery)         By Thomas Copeland BBC Verify      Published 15 September 2026           Satellite imagery shows a key oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia has been badly damaged after a strike last week, which experts have told BBC Verify could take more than a month to repair and force oil prices even higher.  The image shows the most significant damage is at a pumping station along the East-West Pipeline, which Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on to export crude oil via the Red Sea rather than through the Strait of Hormuz, where ships have been attacked by Iran and the US during their six-month war. The Saudi government has accused Iranian-backed militias in Iraq of the pipeline strike, which followed days of renewed missile and drone attacks on south-western Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi group - which is also backed by Iran. Saudi Arabia has retaliated by carrying out strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of western Yemen. New satellite images also show damage to Saudi Arabia's King Khalid Air Base after a Houthi strike last week. The Saudi government said on Tuesday it would respond "firmly" to attacks by the Houthis. While the Houthis have been fighting a long-running civil war against Saudi-backed Yemeni pro-government forces, the group has stepped up its campaign in recent weeks. It seized control of significant new territory across Yemen's south-western coast last week, including areas overlooking the crucial Bab al-Mandab waterway, strengthening its ability to enforce its declared blockade of Saudi shipping.     (Interactive or visual content)       The price of a barrel of oil has surged since Saudi Arabia said on Friday it was closing the pipeline as a precaution. Brent crude was trading as high as $108 (£80) a barrel on Tuesday, down slightly from $109.80 on Monday. Experts from trade intelligence firm Kpler said the pipeline's closure could reduce oil supplies by as much as 3.6 million barrels per day - or about 3.6% of global demand. "Based on new information we've received, damage to the pipeline could take four to six weeks to resolve, given spare-parts availability and impaired supply chains," said Homayoun Falakshahi, Kpler's head of crude oil analysis. Anne-Sophie Corbeau, from the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, said pipelines are "like sitting ducks" and recent strikes are a "very important signal" indicating workarounds being used to avoid the Strait of Hormuz "may not be super useful because they can be destroyed". The Houthis have targeted other Saudi oil infrastructure with drones and missiles which has led to some operations being suspended.     (Interactive or visual content)       There have also been attacks on military bases. New satellite images captured on Monday show damage to Saudi Arabia's King Khalid Air Base near Khamis Mushait which the Houthis said they had targeted with ballistic missiles and drones last week after it was used to carry out air strikes on Yemen. At least three aircraft hangars or shelters appear to have been damaged at the Royal Saudi Air Force facility where US-made F-15 fighter jets are based.      (An image highlighting damaged hangars at King Khalid Air Base)         The Saudi-led anti-Houthi military coalition of Arab states said on Tuesday that a Houthi missile and drone attack had injured 13 people in attacks on what the coalition said were "civilian objects". The Houthis said Saudi Arabia had carried out with more than 50 strikes in western Yemen over the previous 24 hours. The UN Refugee Agency has said that more than 100,000 people have been internally displaced by the renewed conflict. Additional reporting by Barbara Metzler and Benedict Garman  Graphics by Tom Shiel       (BBC Verify banner)         Related topics  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cmjpj223708t) Oil           (vertical video collection) The video playlist   Watch our pick of standout clips from across the BBC      Previous     Next         1:21 Nato jets shoot down drone that entered Lithuanian airspace. 00:01:21, play video Nato jets shoot down drone that entered Lithuanian airspace    (A Nato jet in the sky.)           0:54 Letby 'should have been removed from the ward' 00:00:54, play video Letby 'should have been removed from the ward'    (Lady Justice Thirlwall during presser)           1:01 Ukraine's postal workers deliver lifeline under Russian fire. 00:01:01, play video Ukraine's postal workers deliver lifeline under Russian fire    (A woman with blonde hair pulled back from her face looks off-camera)           0:22 Taylor Swift makes surprise appearance in Emmy sketch. 00:00:22, play video Taylor Swift makes surprise appearance in Emmy sketch    (Taylor Swift on a large screen at an awards show.)           1:29 Police ban balaclavas in Nottingham city centre. 00:01:29, play video Police ban balaclavas in Nottingham city centre    (A person dressed in all-black clothing, wearing sunglasses and a balaclava. They also have their hug over their head.)           1:14 Man spends 21 years in prison after phone theft. 00:01:14, play video Man spends 21 years in prison after phone theft    (A man looks at the camera. He has short black hair and a dark purple t-shirt on.)           0:51 Pubs in England and Wales allow digital ID to prove age. 00:00:51, play video Pubs in England and Wales allow digital ID to prove age    (Close up of two glasses of beer as they cheers.)           0:36 Johnny Marr auctions guitars - including one on Oasis album cover. 00:00:36, play video Johnny Marr auctions guitars - including one on Oasis album cover    (Johnny Marr sat on an amp playing a guitar with other guitars surrounding him.)           1:15 Boris Johnson and European officials 'minutes' from Russian strike. 00:01:15, play video Boris Johnson and European officials 'minutes' from Russian strike    (Smoke after Russian drone hit a passenger rain in Ukraine)           0:40 Diver spots huge jellyfish off Welsh coast. 00:00:40, play video Diver spots huge jellyfish off Welsh coast    (A jellyfish in the water)           0:43 Is nepo baby a 'horrific' term?  00:00:43, play video Is nepo baby a 'horrific' term?     (Catherine Zeta-Jones in a red dress and sunglasses walking with her daughter who is wearing a green jacket, jeans and sunglasses.)           0:57 Meteor showers and supermoons: Autumn's night sky highlights. 00:00:57, play video Meteor showers and supermoons: Autumn's night sky highlights    (The outline of a man facing away from the camera wears a head torch and looks out into a beautiful night sky. There is an array of stars and the colours of the sky fade from blue to orange.)           1:30 What it's like helping bring E.T. to life. 00:01:30, play video What it's like helping bring E.T. to life    (A still of E.T. peering around a white cupboard door.)           0:26 When it's a design challenge – but you can't draw. 00:00:26, play video When it's a design challenge – but you can't draw    (Two people are stood close together. They are both laughing and one of them is holding a piece of paper with a drawing of a woman in black pen.)           1:09 AI 'more powerful by the day', Anthropic co-founder tells BBC. 00:01:09, play video AI 'more powerful by the day', Anthropic co-founder tells BBC    (Jack Clark, a man with short brown hair, dressed in a blue coat)           1:07 Stockport man drugged and raped wife over 20 years. 00:01:07, play video Stockport man drugged and raped wife over 20 years    (Woman with blond hair in a black top)           1:40 Deep-fried food banned under new school dinner rules in England. 00:01:40, play video Deep-fried food banned under new school dinner rules in England    (Food, including hash browns and pizza, being served to students waiting with their trays)           1:39 Could Russian strike near Ukraine-Poland border mean escalation? 00:01:39, play video Could Russian strike near Ukraine-Poland border mean escalation?    (A petrol station is on fire at night, with large flames rising up into the sky. It is in the background of the picture. In the foreground, there is a large road with a metal barrier in the middle.)           1:11 Will AI slow down after tech bosses ask for regulation? 00:01:11, play video Will AI slow down after tech bosses ask for regulation?    (AI apps displayed on a smartphone screen.)           0:34 Steam Frame developer wishes VR headset 'was more affordable' 00:00:34, play video Steam Frame developer wishes VR headset 'was more affordable'    (Black VR headset)               Top stories (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqx2zpj4y525o) OpenAI boss says world 'right to be afraid' but 'should trust' AI firms     Published 17 minutes ago            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3vgyn49y4l7o) All support acts on Ed Sheeran's US tour quit after Macklemore dropped     Published 4 hours ago            (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm3eqdv90977o) Letby doctor says inquiry 'grim reading' and he wishes 'we had been brave enough to follow suspicions'     Published 51 minutes ago                More to explore (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvj64wk38d72o) Repeatedly untruthful, callous and quiet - what we learned about Lucy Letby from inquiry report      (Image shows Lucy Letby, wearing a blue hooded top, being led in handcuffs from her house, in footage captured on a police body camera.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq9v9j2rxpxxo) Memorable moments from the Emmys and everything you couldn't see on TV      (Cast and crew including Colton Dunn, presenter Woody Harrelson, Katie Dippold, Matthew Rhys, Carver Karaszewski, Neil Casey, Kingston Rumi Southwick, Jeff Hiller and Kevin Carroll, accept the Outstanding Comedy Series Award for "Widow's Bay" on stage during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Peacock Theater on September 14, 2026.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c6j9xym8zjy3o)    Superstars and broken records: 2026 Emmy highlights. Video Superstars and broken records: 2026 Emmy highlights           (A composite image of 2026 Emmy Award winners Noah Wyle and Allison Janney.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3eq7485kewo) I got paid $5,000 to move to a place I'd never heard of      (Brianna Beyrouti, wearing glasses and smiling, standing in front of what appears to be a cafe or restaurant, with two men sitting at outdoor tables behind her)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwddvg44qy9go) Girl, 13, with complex needs housed 240 miles away from family      (Sophie McNab and dad Iain McNab hugging. Iain is smiling straight at the camera. Sophie is looking at Iain and smiling.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9e8enjrn3dyo) From Marilyn Monroe to Sabrina Carpenter - Bob Mackie's designs in pictures      (Miley Cyrus, Cher and Madonna wear Mackie designs.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cm4gkvk7wzkpo)    Mass nesting brings swarms of turtles to Mexican beach. Video Mass nesting brings swarms of turtles to Mexican beach           (Two turtles make their way to the sea on La Escobilla beach in Oaxaca, Mexico.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmj64996rn12o) I owe £70k repayments on £42k student loan      (Polly has long blond hair. She stands in a house with the staircase behind her wearing a black jumper.)         (https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsletters/zxh6cxs) Tech Decoded newsletter: Follow the world’s top tech stories and trends      (Tech Decoded logo)             Elsewhere on the BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002zl90?at_mid=KVLvTVGUof&at_campaign=Vigil_S3_E1&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=p09pm77q&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Vigil_S3_E1&at_bbc_team=BBC) Watch every chilling episode of the new series of Vigil        (Vigil)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct9843?at_mid=xHhJd1p4d3&at_campaign=Heart_and_Soul_The_Woman_Who_Saved_Me_on_9_11&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=p002vsn4&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Heart_and_Soul_The_Woman_Who_Saved_Me_on_9_11&at_bbc_team=BBC) Deacon Paul Carris reflects on how saving a woman saved him on 9/11        (Heart and Soul)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00303gv?at_mid=Yx8giOpeie&at_campaign=Colin_from_Accounts_S3&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=p0f255x9&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Colin_from_Accounts_S3&at_bbc_team=BBC) The warm-hearted Aussie rom-com audiences are loving        (Colin from Accounts)        (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct98bw?at_mid=EvTIgzC8e7&at_campaign=Witness_History_The_weather_report_that_changed_the_date_of_D_Day&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign_type=owned&at_nation=NET&at_audience_id=SS&at_product=sounds&at_brand=p004t1hd&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_ptr_type=media&at_format=image&at_objective=consumption&at_link_title=Witness_History_The_weather_report_that_changed_the_date_of_D_Day&at_bbc_team=BBC) The weather report that changed the date of D-Day        (Witness History)            Most read 1 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3vgyn49y4l7o) All support acts on Ed Sheeran's US tour quit after Macklemore dropped       2 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr5yev2v1x29o) Search launched for boy, 3, missing at playground       3 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c63re1pp098lo) 'Complete failure to protect babies' and 'Sterling mess'       4 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6e30e98v7j1o) UK in talks about joining global defence bank led by Canada       5 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm3eqdv90977o) Letby doctor says inquiry 'grim reading' and he wishes 'we had been brave enough to follow suspicions'       6 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg7231pev5o) England's shoplifting problem and the prolific offenders fuelling it       7 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqx2zpj4y525o) OpenAI boss says world 'right to be afraid' but 'should trust' AI firms       8 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvj64wk38d72o) Repeatedly untruthful, callous and quiet - what we learned about Lucy Letby from inquiry report       9 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqde0xkgpy2xo) Dan Thomas resigns as Reform Wales leader after arrest on suspicion of assault       10 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6y8zp3kv0x3o) Trump says Kennedy Center to close as court rules his name must stay off building               BBC News Services  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628994)    On your mobile  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/help-50068132)    On smart speakers  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10628323)    Get news alerts  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/20039682)    Contact BBC News     (https://www.bbc.com) Home  (https://www.bbc.com/news) News  (https://www.bbc.com/sport) Sport  (https://www.bbc.com/future/earth) Earth  (https://www.bbc.com/reel) Reel  (https://www.bbc.com/worklife) Worklife  (https://www.bbc.com/travel) Travel  (https://www.bbc.com/culture) Culture  (https://www.bbc.com/future) Future  (https://www.bbc.com/culture/music) Music  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl9m) TV  (https://www.bbc.com/weather) Weather  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds) Sounds   (https://www.bbc.co.uk/usingthebbc/terms) Terms of Use  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc) About the BBC  (https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/privacy) Privacy Policy  (https://www.bbc.com/usingthebbc/cookies) Cookies  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility) Accessibility Help  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/guidance) Parental Guidance  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact) Contact the BBC  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/careers) Careers  (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcnewsletter) BBC emails for you  (https://www.bbc.com/advertisingcontact/) Advertise with us    Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/editorialguidelines/guidance/links-and-feeds) Read about our approach to external linking.         ()