UPDATE 1-Yemen investigating pipeline blast-oil min

* Yemen says doing all it can to protect international firms

* Oil export revenues in 2010 seen same as 2009

(Adds quotes, details, background)

ABU DHABI, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Yemen is investigating Tuesday's blast at a pipeline run by Korea National Oil Corp and working to protect international firms from any security threat, Oil Minister Amir al-Aidarous saidon Wednesday.

Suspected al Qaeda militants blew up the oil pipeline in south Yemen on Tuesday, the same day Sanaa launched a major operation to arrest a Saudi bomb-maker accused of being behind a foiled bomb plot involving U.S.-bound parcels.

"The investigation is still ongoing today ... We are doing everything to protect companies in Yemen," the minister told reporters in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Security forces were sent to the province of Maarib and also to Shabwa, where the targeted pipeline is located. [ID:nLDE6A10HT] [ID:nLDE6A10HT].

The minister also said that Yemen, a small oil producer with output of around 300,000 barrels per day, will have 2010 oil export revenues similar to last year, which stood at around $3.4 billion, according to officials.

Korea National Oil Corp said on Wednesday its oil pipeline in Yemen suffered minimal damage from a bomb attack and it was preparing restoration work for the 204-km (127 mile) pipeline.