A general view shows a new plant inaugur

Haradh, SAUDI ARABIA: A general view shows a new plant inaugurated 22 March 2006 in Haradh, about 280 kms (170 miles) southwest of the eastern Saudi oil city of Dhahran, launching a project adding 300,000 barrels of oil to the kingdom's daily production capacity. The facility which was opened today in a ceremony attended by Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi was completed in January, ahead of schedule, the company said. Approximately 160 kms (100 miles) of new pipeline and extensions will transport crude and gas products to processing facilities further north in the Eastern Province, a statement said. Saudi Arabia, the world's top crude producer and exporter, currently pumps around 9.5 million bpd of oil and has a production capacity of around 11 million bpd. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo credit should read -/AFP via Getty Images)