Saudis beef up security
Saudi Aramco is increasing security following the recent militant attacks on expatriate workers in the oil-rich kingdom.
However, Mustafa Jalali, vice president of Saudi Aramco Affairs, said the added protection was part of ongoing security measures and not a knee-jerk reaction to the recent spate of violence rocking the world's top oil exporter.
"Saudi Aramco is doing everything within its power to ensure the safety and security of its employees and their dependents, and the company facilities and communities in which they work and live," he told Reuters.
Aramco is also stocking up on bullet-proof vests.
"Saudi Aramco continuously upgrades the equipment and infrastructure available to its industrial security personnel," Jalali said. "Bullet-proof vests are one of many such ongoing upgrades."
Fears about security at oil facilities have been sparked by the killing of Westerners in the oil hubs of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast and Khobar, near Dhahran on the east coast.
Aramco officials say they have no plans to hire outside security forces to strengthen protection, but Jalali said its own guards might get "additional and specialised training".
Some 5000 Aramco guards, as well as physical barriers, cameras and government security forces have already been deployed to protect its facilities and employees.