Saudi Aramco halts LPG exports through May after damage

Riyadh: Saudi Aramco will suspend liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shipments next month after damage to its main export facility in late February disrupted supplies, according to people familiar with the matter.

The state producer has informed buyers that shipments from the Juaymah LPG facility will remain halted through May, the people said, requesting anonymity as the information is not public. Aramco declined to comment.

Exports have been suspended since a support structure collapsed at the facility in February, sending prices higher and forcing buyers to seek alternative supplies.


Since then, the regional conflict has compounded disruptions, with the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz curbing exports and triggering energy shortages across Asia. India, where LPG is widely used for cooking, has been particularly affected.

Aramco has told some buyers it has been unable to carry out necessary repairs at Juaymah, the people said. This means shipments are unlikely to resume next month even if the Hormuz route reopens.

The company had said on Feb. 26 that shipments from Juaymah scheduled for the following weeks would be cancelled, without providing further details.