The pipeline attack halted oil production , and crews worked to fix it . Yemen crude oil exports are the mainstay of the impoverished country 's economy . `` Lost oil production due to pipeline attacks cost the government more than $ 1 billion in 2012 , and cost the government even more in 2013 , '' an Oil Ministry official told CNN on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to media . Comment: Experts fear a weakened economy could lead to more political turmoil .
The pipeline attack halted oil production , and crews worked to fix it . Yemen crude oil exports are the mainstay of the impoverished country 's economy . Comment: Experts fear a weakened economy could lead to more political turmoil .