Oil Rockets To $42.33 On Saudi Terror Attack, But Supply Seen Safe; 22 Die In Khobar Rampage; Hitting oil infrastructure is very hard, experts say, but "expats' soft targets.(A)

Byline: BRIAN MITCHELL

Oil is the lifeblood of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia -- and the global economy -- and its security is not taken lightly.

So Islamic militants are targeting the soft underbelly of the oil industry -- the foreign workers who provide the technical expertise that keeps the oil flowing.

The weekend attack that killed 22 people sent already high July crude prices surging $2.45 to a record $42.33 a barrel, on fear that terrorism might disrupt the world's tight oil supply.

But many analysts say the short-term danger to the oil supply itself is minimal.

"I'm not very worried," said Philip Verleger, visiting fellow at the Institute for International Economics. "It's not a big signal. . . . I don't see much cause for concern in this."

Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure is a vast and complex system. Much of it is spread over barren desert, accessible only to Bedouin nomads. And it is very well-guarded, on the ground and in the air.