Bapco Energies, Bahrain’s state-owned energy company, has declared force majeure on its operations, citing the impact of the ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East and a recent attack on the Al-Ma’ameer refinery complex.
The company announced this measure following an incident attributed to an Iranian drone strike that affected its refinery in Sitra, reported the Hindustan Times.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The Bahraini Government reported damage and injuries in the Sitra area but did not immediately verify whether the refinery was directly struck.
The attack occurred amidst escalating tensions involving Iran, the US and Israel.
The conflict intensified following the Operation Epic Fury airstrikes on 28 February against Iranian targets, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks across the region, including against infrastructure in Bahrain.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe broader unrest has disrupted oil infrastructure and shipping routes across the Middle East, contributing to global oil prices surpassing $100 per barrel and raising concerns about a potential wider regional war.
Despite these challenges, Bapco Energies assured stakeholders that it has implemented proactive measures to secure local market needs and maintain supply continuity without disruption.
The company emphasised its commitment to keeping all stakeholders informed with the latest updates.
As part of Iran’s retaliatory strategy, US bases and associated infrastructure across the Gulf have been targeted, including sites in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Iran has responded to Operation Epic Fury by threatening to target vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane off its southern coast.
This development has effectively blocked the passage, halting approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies and causing numerous vessels to anchor outside the strait.
Meanwhile, oil prices surged approximately 15% on Monday, reaching their highest level since July 2022. Concurrently, Iraq and Kuwait have decreased their oil production, adding to the ongoing reductions in liquefied natural gas exports from Qatar.
