Top executives dropped from world oil event schedule after Riyadh airport attacks

Top executives dropped from world oil event schedule after Riyadh airport attacks That airport has been attacked four times in the last week - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in The WPC Energy Congress opened in Riyadh on Sunday as Saudi authorities pressed ahead with the gathering despite deadly attacks on the capital claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis. Several top energy executives have now been dropped from the event's schedule. The chief executives of ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, Shell, Chevron and BP had all been expected to attend. But none of them appeared on the agenda released by conference organisers early on Monday. “To everyone who travelled to Riyadh, thank you,” said Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, who opened Monday's session of the gathering for energy policy and industry that takes place once every three years. “You know this country is safe and that we hold your protection at whole heart…Our gathering here does not mean the risk is gone.” The strikes are a blow to Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's multi-billion-dollar programme to diversify the economy away from oil, modernise society and position the kingdom as an investment and tourism hub. Hosting international events is a priority of the programme, which was already facing delays and recalibrations. Prince Abdulaziz said the kingdom must remain focused on the decades ahead and Vision 2030 must continue. Prince Abdulaziz said the events of recent weeks were serious and that the kingdom's response must be “equally serious". A BP spokesperson said the company had "made every effort to participate" in the conference. "Unfortunately, due to travel disruption we are unable to be there in person. We greatly value our long-standing partnerships across the region." Shell declined to comment. TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil and Chevron did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. The congress is being held this week at a conference centre some 10 kilometres (6 miles) from Riyadh's international airport. That airport has been attacked four times in the last week. One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a new attack on the airport on Sunday evening, Saudi authorities reported. The attack came a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. That was the deadliest attack in the kingdom in more than a decade. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments