An Explosion Has Occurred in the Jubail Industrial City, Putting 6–8% of Global Petrochemical Production Capacity at Risk

On April 7, an explosion struck the Jubail Industrial City in northeastern Saudi Arabia, causing widespread damage.

Located along the coast of the Arabian Gulf, Jubail Industrial City is a cornerstone of the global petrochemical industry, with an annual output of approximately 60 million tons, accounting for about 6% to 8% of global production. Covering an area of over 1,000 square kilometers, the industrial zone hosts a dense network of refineries and chemical plants, making it critical to international energy and manufacturing supply chains.

Numerous major international companies operate projects in the area, including the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), one of the largest petrochemical producers in the Middle East with extensive global investments. The region also includes major joint ventures, such as the Sadara complex developed in partnership with Dow Chemical Company, as well as the Amiral project jointly developed by Saudi Aramco and TotalEnergies.