# Perhaps you should fill your tank now: Saudi Arabia to cut 1/2 crude production after attack **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 14, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231 "2019-09-14T19:07:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/1 "2019-09-14T19:07:50Z")
On Saturday, Houthi rebels in Yemen managed to launch a series of drone attacks against Saudi Arabian oil production apparatus. In response, KSA has declared it will temporarily cut crude oil production by 50 percent, roughly 5 million barrels a day. Price effects on Sunday futures are predicted by one analyst to be a rise of 5-10 USD per barrel, roughly 12-25 cents per gallon of gasoline. Story here at CNBC, citing the Wall Street Journal: [Saudi oil production cut by 50% after drones attack crude facilities](https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/09/14/saudi-arabia-is-shutting-down-half-of-its-oil-production-after-drone-attack-wsj-says.html) The picture with the article is sobering. Wild Well Control et al, are about to be very busy. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/2 "2019-09-14T19:16:42Z")
I read about this and plan to fill up both cars before the day is over. Crazy stuff. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/3 "2019-09-14T19:18:25Z")
Not good. Not only for the gasoline and energy consumer, but this will probably be a pressure point in terms of regional stability. If you’re Saudi Arabia, the feeling is that it’s an outrageous act that demands a response. Iran will be implicated, whether they had advanced knowledge of the attack and/or participated in it, or not (and I’m guessing the latter is more likely). Hopefully cooler heads will prevail ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/4 "2019-09-14T19:18:37Z")
I was watching video of this in the wee hours of today; many explosions and many fires. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/5 "2019-09-14T19:26:08Z")
[Here’s the AP story](https://apnews.com/d20f80188e3543bfb36d512df7777cd4), btw. > [@](#): > > 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. It said an investigation was underway. > > Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil giant, did not respond to questions from The Associated Press. > > In a short address aired by the Houthi’s Al-Masirah satellite news channel, military spokesman Yahia Sarie said the rebels launched 10 drones after receiving “intelligence” support from those inside the kingdom. He warned that attacks by the rebels would only get worse if the war continues. > > "The only option for the Saudi government is to stop attacking us,” Sarie said. > > The rebels hold Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and other territory in the Arab world’s poorest country. Since 2015, a Saudi-led coalition has fought to reinstate the internationally recognized Yemeni government. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/6 "2019-09-14T21:12:31Z")
The Houthis have been quite forward-thinking in their use of drones in this conflict. There’s video of them attacking a military review stand with an explosive-carrying drone, and they’ve previously attacked Saudi production equipment, though nowhere near as effective as this latest attack. I’m sure the Iranians have a back channel communication to the effect of, “If we don’t get to sell oil, you don’t either.” Only going to get worse when both sides admit they possess a local nuclear deterrent. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/7 "2019-09-14T22:02:29Z")
Rebel/terrorist groups all over are using drones now. There was a story a number of days back where a bomb drone was lowing low on battery and used the automatic “return to base” function… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/8 "2019-09-14T22:11:28Z")
The US certainly wants to hang this on Iran. From the OP reference: > [@](#): > > But U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran for the attacks. > > “Tehran is behind nearly 100 attacks on Saudi Arabia while Rouhani and Zarif pretend to engage in diplomacy. Amid all the calls for de-escalation, Iran has now launched an unprecedented attack on the world’s energy supply,” Pompeo tweeted. “There is no evidence the attacks came from Yemen.” That Iran probably supported this with intelligence and equipment I do not doubt, but I’ll wait for somewhat firmer evidence that it wasn’t the Houthi’s attack, they have shown themselves to be rather resourceful rebels. I wonder if there will be a follow-up attack if the US/Saudi try to retaliate against Iran and/or the Houthi… Interesting times… ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/9 "2019-09-14T22:30:31Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > On Saturday, Houthi rebels in Yemen managed to launch a series of drone attacks against Saudi Arabian oil production apparatus. In response, KSA has declared it will temporarily cut crude oil production by 50 percent, roughly 5 million barrels a day. Price effects on Sunday futures are predicted by one analyst to be a rise of 5-10 USD per barrel, roughly 12-25 cents per gallon of gasoline. Story here at CNBC, citing the Wall Street Journal: [Saudi oil production cut by 50% after drones attack crude facilities](https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2019/09/14/saudi-arabia-is-shutting-down-half-of-its-oil-production-after-drone-attack-wsj-says.html) > > The picture with the article is sobering. Wild Well Control et al, are about to be very busy. Its going to have the effect of dropping the street price of gas signifigantly. The Saudi’s are looking to boost the price of oil. but thats only going to be short term until American Shale comes back online and causes a glut leading to lower prices. If the Saudi cut last more than two weeks, i will be surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/10 "2019-09-14T22:34:49Z")
I don’t even _own_ a tank. Should I buy one? ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/11 "2019-09-14T23:42:55Z")
> [@Atomic\_Alex](#): > > I don’t even _own_ a tank. Should I buy one? You ever read the Tom Clancy book, Red Storm Rising ? Buying an Abrams/Chally or Leo 2 might put you ahead of your peers. ---
**Author:** ![sps49sd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@sps49sd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sps49sd)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2019, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/12 "2019-09-15T00:01:43Z")
Electric car driver, here 🙂 I’m more worried about this incident causing more armed conflict. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2019, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/13 "2019-09-15T00:22:58Z")
They may be cutting their production in half, but the short term flow from Saudi Arabia is guaranteed. The Saudis have something like 37 days of reserve to cover any interruptions from the attack. The price of oil will rise, yes, but just a bit. Once it becomes clearer how long it will take to repair everything, prices will stabilize (assuming there are no repeat attacks). ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2019, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/14 "2019-09-15T01:11:44Z")
The futures markets for crude oil will open tomorrow, September 15 at 5 PM central. The crude contract is a very large one, the tick size is .01 with every .01=$10. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2019, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/15 "2019-09-15T02:54:20Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > They may be cutting their production in half, but the short term flow from Saudi Arabia is guaranteed. > > The Saudis have something like 37 days of reserve to cover any interruptions from the attack. The price of oil will rise, yes, but just a bit. Once it becomes clearer how long it will take to repair everything, prices will stabilize (assuming there are no repeat attacks). It’s the instability and the speculation that will drive the price more than the actual supply/demand, at leas for now. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2019, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/16 "2019-09-15T03:58:49Z")
> [@Atomic\_Alex](#): > > I don’t even _own_ a tank. Should I buy one? You should check out the documentary “The gang solves the gas crisis” where they used just that concept. You can find it on the prestigious station FXX or lots of clips from many of their other episodes where they solve crises affecting so many of us can be easily located on youtube. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2019, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/17 "2019-09-15T09:30:10Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > I read about this and plan to fill up both cars before the day is over. Crazy stuff. Why the immediacy? Even _if_ your tanks are empty, you’re saving like $4, tops. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2019, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/18 "2019-09-15T10:05:36Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > It’s the instability and the speculation that will drive the price more than the actual supply/demand, at leas for now. Panic buying and hoarding are also a big problem, ime. In 2017, an interview (and possibly misunderstood quote) from an oil executive set off panic buying in the North Texas area. The fear was that Hurricane Harvey had disabled a significant part of US refining capability and people began hurrying to fill their tanks. As the day went on, they (literally) emptied the pipelines into the DFW area and the panic got worse. After a couple of days, people were losing their shit. In some cases, enterprising newbie “preppers” decided to take large tanks and grab more of the dwindling supplies in the few(er) open stations. Fights broke out as those further back in line realized the limited amount was being taken by Bubba and his makeshift tanks. Those who didn’t have plenty of fuel found themselves either scouring the surrounding areas for it, or trying to find rides to work for the next week. Even if the shortage isn’t “real”, when you’re the last cricket on a picked-over field, it becomes real for you. Having some backup supply, whether it’s the extra half-tank in your car, or purpose-built storage tanks on your property, is pretty smart in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2019, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/19 "2019-09-15T14:10:21Z")
> [@Declan](#): > > You ever read the Tom Clancy book, Red Storm Rising ? > > Buying an Abrams/Chally or Leo 2 might put you ahead of your peers. I have actually read that book, I think I’d go for an Israeli Merkeva though, just to be different, and it has space to carry my friends around. 😉 > [@Joey\_P](#): > > You should check out the documentary “The gang solves the gas crisis” where they used just that concept. You can find it on the prestigious station FXX or lots of clips from many of their other episodes where they solve crises affecting so many of us can be easily located on youtube. I’ll have a look, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2019, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231/20 "2019-09-15T14:47:42Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > The US certainly wants to hang this on Iran. Of course it does. Trump has been practically salivating over the notion of a war with Iran so he can show how manly he is. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perhaps-you-should-fill-your-tank-now-saudi-arabia-to-cut-1-2-crude-production-after-attack/840231.md?page=2)