Abdulaziz bin Salman: Saudi Arabia Has Adopted Circular Carbon Economy Since 2019

The Saudi Minister of Energy speaking to the audience during the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Energy speaking to the audience during the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Abdulaziz bin Salman: Saudi Arabia Has Adopted Circular Carbon Economy Since 2019

The Saudi Minister of Energy speaking to the audience during the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi Minister of Energy speaking to the audience during the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said that the Kingdom was focusing on transforming energy management methods into economically valuable and environmentally beneficial systems, in line with climate change initiatives.

He added that Saudi Arabia has adopted the circular carbon economy model since 2019, a concept further endorsed during its G20 presidency in 2020.

Speaking during a session entitled, “Advancing Carbon Capture and Utilization Innovations through Global Partnerships”, on the sidelines of the special meeting of the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, the Saudi minister noted that electricity production in the Kingdom is provided at the lowest cost and at competitive prices.

He stressed that the government has a number of programs and projects that are aimed at reducing costs and maintaining competitiveness in electricity production.

This not only attracts investment but also emphasizes the Kingdom’s commitment to energy security and sustainability, he remarked.

According to Prince Abdulaziz, the Saudi government is committed to achieving energy security and sustainability. He pointed to the Energy Efficiency Program launched in 2011, highlighting its unique position in realizing the state’s targets and advancing the circular carbon economy.

The minister discussed the potential benefits of carbon dioxide sinking, which could produce more carbonates and foster recycling applications, aligning with the Saudi Green Initiative and aiding climate change mitigation efforts.

He added that maintaining competitive prices will attract more investments into electricity and energy production in the Kingdom, noting that Saudi Arabia aims to determine the pace of the energy industry’s transition based on a future system supported by renewable energy sources.



Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh Demand against US Inventories

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
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Oil Prices Steady as Markets Weigh Demand against US Inventories

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

Oil prices were little changed on Thursday as investors weighed firm winter fuel demand expectations against large US fuel inventories and macroeconomic concerns.

Brent crude futures were down 3 cents at $76.13 a barrel by 1003 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures dipped 10 cents to $73.22.

Both benchmarks fell more than 1% on Wednesday as a stronger dollar and a bigger than expected rise in US fuel stockpiles pressured prices.

"The oil market is still grappling with opposite forces - seasonal demand to support the bulls and macro data that supports a stronger US dollar in the medium term ... that can put a ceiling to prevent the bulls from advancing further," said OANDA senior market analyst Kelvin Wong.

JPMorgan analysts expect oil demand for January to expand by 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) year on year to 101.4 million bpd, primarily driven by increased use of heating fuels in the Northern Hemisphere.

"Global oil demand is expected to remain strong throughout January, fuelled by colder than normal winter conditions that are boosting heating fuel consumption, as well as an earlier onset of travel activities in China for the Lunar New Year holidays," the analysts said.

The market structure in Brent futures is also indicating that traders are becoming more concerned about supply tightening at the same time demand is increasing.

The premium of the front-month Brent contract over the six-month contract reached its widest since August on Wednesday. A widening of this backwardation, when futures for prompt delivery are higher than for later delivery, typically indicates that supply is declining or demand is increasing.

Nevertheless, official Energy Information Administration (EIA) data showed rising gasoline and distillates stockpiles in the United States last week.

The dollar strengthened further on Thursday, underpinned by rising Treasury yields ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's entrance into the White House on Jan. 20.

Looking ahead, WTI crude oil is expected to oscillate within a range of $67.55 to $77.95 into February as the market awaits more clarity on Trump's administration policies and fresh fiscal stimulus measures out of China, OANDA's Wong said.