Yemen’s hydrocarbon infrastructure has again come under attack, despite what has largely been a subdued start to the year compared to 2012. Militants on 8 April bombed the country’s key oil export pipeline, interrupting the flow of crude from fields situated in Yemen’s oil-rich Marib province. This attack was followed shortly after by a similar incident in which gunmen used explosives to damage power lines and interrupt the delivery of electricity to the capital Sanaa.
The 270-mile 110,000 b/d capacity pipeline carries Marib Light crude from the fields in the 43,000 b/d Safer-operated Block 18, the OMV-operated 15,000-20,000 b/d Block S2 and the 42,000 b/d Hunt-operated Block 5 to the Ras Issa export terminal on the Red Sea, accounting for the bulk of Yemen’s oil exports. (CONTINUED - 267 WORDS)
