Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANAA2055
2007-11-06 12:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sanaa
Cable title:
EXPLOSION OF OIL PIPELINE NEAR MARIB
how-toVZCZCXRO9079 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHYN #2055 3101244 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 061244Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY SANAA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8350 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002055
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP FOR NATASHA FRANCESCHI
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO OPS CENTER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2017
TAGS: ECON EINV ENRG EPET PGOV PREL PTER YM
SUBJECT: EXPLOSION OF OIL PIPELINE NEAR MARIB
REF: A. IIR 6 906 0015 08
B. SANAA 1347
Classified By: Ambassador Stephen Seche, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002055
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP FOR NATASHA FRANCESCHI
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO OPS CENTER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2017
TAGS: ECON EINV ENRG EPET PGOV PREL PTER YM
SUBJECT: EXPLOSION OF OIL PIPELINE NEAR MARIB
REF: A. IIR 6 906 0015 08
B. SANAA 1347
Classified By: Ambassador Stephen Seche, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) An oil pipeline explosion occurred at approximately
0500 AM on November 5 in the Watada area, southwest of Sirwah
Disrict in the area bordering al-Kholan and al-Bida tribal
areas in the Ma'rib Governorate (ref A). According to media
reports, there were no casualties. The explosion shut down
the pipeline between the Safer Marib Block 18 oil pumping
station and the Ras Issa terminal on the Red Sea, which
comprises 40 percent of Yemen's oil supply. (Note: Safer is a
ROYG-owned oil company. End Note)
2. (C) Jannah Hunt Oil Finance Officer Steve Margerum told
CommOff that when pipeline explosions occur, oil companies
usually "shut-in" production, meaning that they either stop
pumping oil or put oil into barrels. He said that oil
production was stopped for a short period on November 5, but
afterwards it was being diverted into tanks. According to
Margerum, the total daily loss of oil due to the pipeline
explosion was at least 5,000 barrels, but some estimates may
be higher. Despite repeated attempts, Post was not able to
reach the Safer Company.
3. (C) There is widespread speculation about the cause of
the explosion. A ROYG Ministry of Interior official told the
RSO on November 5 that the main cause was a "construction
accident." Contacts explained that the explosion was
tribe-related. (Note: Yemeni tribes have in the past
disrupted oil supplies and production in order to extract
more money or jobs from the oil companies (ref B). This has
been a frequent occurence in several governorates, including
Shabwa and Marib. According to reftel, a hole was found
under the pipeline in the al-Bida area a few days ago. Some
sources expect that the al-Bida tribe was behind the pipeline
explosion. End Note)
SECHE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP FOR NATASHA FRANCESCHI
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO OPS CENTER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2017
TAGS: ECON EINV ENRG EPET PGOV PREL PTER YM
SUBJECT: EXPLOSION OF OIL PIPELINE NEAR MARIB
REF: A. IIR 6 906 0015 08
B. SANAA 1347
Classified By: Ambassador Stephen Seche, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) An oil pipeline explosion occurred at approximately
0500 AM on November 5 in the Watada area, southwest of Sirwah
Disrict in the area bordering al-Kholan and al-Bida tribal
areas in the Ma'rib Governorate (ref A). According to media
reports, there were no casualties. The explosion shut down
the pipeline between the Safer Marib Block 18 oil pumping
station and the Ras Issa terminal on the Red Sea, which
comprises 40 percent of Yemen's oil supply. (Note: Safer is a
ROYG-owned oil company. End Note)
2. (C) Jannah Hunt Oil Finance Officer Steve Margerum told
CommOff that when pipeline explosions occur, oil companies
usually "shut-in" production, meaning that they either stop
pumping oil or put oil into barrels. He said that oil
production was stopped for a short period on November 5, but
afterwards it was being diverted into tanks. According to
Margerum, the total daily loss of oil due to the pipeline
explosion was at least 5,000 barrels, but some estimates may
be higher. Despite repeated attempts, Post was not able to
reach the Safer Company.
3. (C) There is widespread speculation about the cause of
the explosion. A ROYG Ministry of Interior official told the
RSO on November 5 that the main cause was a "construction
accident." Contacts explained that the explosion was
tribe-related. (Note: Yemeni tribes have in the past
disrupted oil supplies and production in order to extract
more money or jobs from the oil companies (ref B). This has
been a frequent occurence in several governorates, including
Shabwa and Marib. According to reftel, a hole was found
under the pipeline in the al-Bida area a few days ago. Some
sources expect that the al-Bida tribe was behind the pipeline
explosion. End Note)
SECHE