Bahrain Oil Firm Declares Force Majeure

Bapco Energies, the state oil company of Bahrain, announced a force majeure on Monday (March 9, 2026) after an attack linked to Iran caused a major fire at one of its oil refineries.

According to reports from the Bahrain News Agency, the refinery caught fire following the attack, forcing the company to temporarily stop some of its oil shipments. The damage and safety concerns made it difficult for the company to continue normal operations.

The company said it was declaring force majeure, which is a legal step taken when a company cannot fulfil its contract due to unexpected and uncontrollable events. In such situations, the company is temporarily released from its contractual responsibilities, such as supplying oil shipments to customers.

Officials said the refinery fire caused serious disruption to operations, and teams are working to control the damage and restore production. Emergency response teams and engineers are currently assessing the situation and ensuring that the fire is fully contained.

Authorities in Bahrain are also investigating the incident and strengthening security around important energy facilities. The attack has raised concerns about the safety of oil infrastructure in the Gulf region.

The development comes at a time when tensions are already high in West Asia due to the ongoing conflict involving several countries. Experts say disruptions to oil production and shipments in the Gulf could affect global energy markets if the situation continues.

However, officials have assured that efforts are being made to restore refinery operations as quickly as possible and maintain stability in oil supply. Further updates are expected once the damage assessment and safety inspections are completed.