Saudi Aramco helicopter crash in Ras Tanura killed 14 people Sunday, the state-owned SPA reported. The 14 Saudi nationals died in the 6 a.m. local time crash, though causes remain under investigation by authorities. Ras Tanura, home to Saudi Arabia’s largest refinery and oil export hub, is critical to global energy markets.

The refinery supplies transport fuels like diesel to Europe and produces limited gasoline. Saudi Arabia recently reopened Persian Gulf ports closed during the Iran conflict while restarting Red Sea loadings to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Friday’s arrival of two very large crude carriers at Ras Tanura marked the first tanker activity since March, when Aramco suspended operations after a drone strike. The crash underscores ongoing vulnerabilities in Saudi energy infrastructure amid regional tensions.

The refinery’s disruption occurs as Saudi Arabia ramps up crude shipments. In March, the facility was temporarily closed due to security threats, reflecting broader instability in the region’s energy sector. The crash’s timing—during a fragile recovery—raises concerns about operational safety and supply chain resilience. Investors monitor how Saudi Arabia balances security risks with its push to normalize oil production and exports.