Saudi Energy Minister: I Don’t Have Crystal Ball to Predict Future of Oil Markets

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman speaks during 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 11, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman speaks during 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 11, 2023. (Reuters)
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Saudi Energy Minister: I Don’t Have Crystal Ball to Predict Future of Oil Markets

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman speaks during 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 11, 2023. (Reuters)
Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman speaks during 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June 11, 2023. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Sunday that he does not know what the future of the oil markets holds.

“I don’t have a crystal ball to predict oil prices,” he told the 10th Arab-China Business Conference in Riyadh.

At the same time, OPEC+ members are working on preserving the stability of global energy prices, he added.

Moreover, he remarked that Saudi Arabia’s geographic position boosts its ability to reach many parties and expand investments with all countries.

Prince Abdulaziz revealed that Saudi Arabia and China will unveil joint investments, adding that they have a great capacity for bilateral cooperation given Beijing’s growing demand for oil.

“Oil demand in China is still growing so of course we have to capture some of that demand,” he noted. “Instead of competing with China, collaborate with China.”

The Kingdom and China are working on a number of investments, including in renewable energy, he said.

Furthermore, the minister dismissed criticism of the growing relations between Saudi Arabia and China, saying: “I actually ignore it because ... as a business person... now you will go where opportunity comes your way.”

“We don't have to be facing any choice which has to do with (saying) either with us or with the others,” he added.



Maersk Not Returning to the Gulf of Aden for Now

Maersk shipping line Cabo Verde offloads containers within the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) container terminal at the port of Mombasa, Kenya, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Laban Walloga
Maersk shipping line Cabo Verde offloads containers within the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) container terminal at the port of Mombasa, Kenya, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Laban Walloga
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Maersk Not Returning to the Gulf of Aden for Now

Maersk shipping line Cabo Verde offloads containers within the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) container terminal at the port of Mombasa, Kenya, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Laban Walloga
Maersk shipping line Cabo Verde offloads containers within the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) container terminal at the port of Mombasa, Kenya, January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Laban Walloga

Maersk will continue to divert vessels away from the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea and toward the southern tip of Africa despite Yemen's Houthis announcing they will curb their attacks on ships, the container shipping giant said on Friday.
The Danish shipping company said the announcement by the Iran-backed militia was "a very welcome step in the right direction towards stability and eventual normality for the global shipping industry".
However, it said the security risk for commercial vessels transition the Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb strait remains high.
"With this in mind – and the safety of our crew, vessels, and your cargo being our utmost priority – Maersk will continue to sail around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope until safe passage through the area is ensured for the longer term," it said.

Houthis have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023 and sunk two vessels, seized another and killed at least four seafarers.
They have targeted the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which are joined by the narrow Bab al-Mandab strait, a chokepoint between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.