Al-Qaida-claimed suicide bombers tried but failed to attack the oil complex in February 2006. The plant has been targeted in the past by militants. Estimates suggest it can process up to 7 million barrels of crude oil a day. Saudi Aramco describes its Abqaiq oil processing facility in Buqyaq as "the largest crude oil stabilization plant in the world." The facility processes sour crude oil into sweet crude, then later transports onto transshipment points on the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. The kingdom hopes soon to offer a sliver of the company in an initial public offering. Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil giant, did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press. It said an investigation into the attack was underway. The fires began after the sites were "targeted by drones," the Interior Ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency. Smoke rose over the skyline and glowing flames could be seen a distance away.
Online videos apparently shot in Buqyaq included the sound of gunfire in the background and flames shooting out of the Abqaiq oil processing facility.
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