BP cancels attendance at Riyadh energy congress after airport attack disrupts travel, while the five-day event proceeds as scheduled

BP canceled its in-person attendance at the World Petroleum Council Energy Congress in Riyadh because of travel disruption following a missile attack on the city’s international airport, Reuters reported, citing a company spokesperson. The spokesperson said BP had made every effort to participate and valued its longstanding partnerships in the region.

The five-day congress, scheduled for October 11–15, went ahead on Sunday at a convention center about 10 kilometers from the airport, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said. BP chief executive Meg O’Neill had appeared on earlier conference agendas.

King Khalid International Airport had been closed after the Saturday attack, and Saudi authorities reported another attack there on Sunday. The airport incidents disrupted flights to Riyadh.