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Moody’s Affirms Saudi Arabia's 'A1' Credit Rating with 'Positive' Outlook

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
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Moody’s Affirms Saudi Arabia's 'A1' Credit Rating with 'Positive' Outlook

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT

The international credit rating agency" Moody's" has affirmed Saudi Arabia's credit rating at “A1" with positive outlook.

In its latest report report, the agency said the rating affirmation is based on its assessment of the government's significant progress that achieved in implementing broad-based reform agenda since 2016 and the track record of macroeconomic and fiscal policy effectiveness that will support the sustainability of the economic diversification.

The agency said it expects the continued implementation of large diversification projects in the Kingdom will support non-hydrocarbon real GDP growth as they are designed to be modular and commercialized in phases.

It also also said the positive outlook is a reflection of the reforms and investments in various non-oil sectors that will, over time, lead to a material decline in the Kingdoms economic and fiscal reliance on hydrocarbons.

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Israel Approves Extra Gas Exports, Leviathan Field to Be Expanded 

An aerial view taken from a helicopter shows the Leviathan natural gas rig off the coast of the Mediterranean coast, in northern Israel, April 26, 2023. (Reuters)
An aerial view taken from a helicopter shows the Leviathan natural gas rig off the coast of the Mediterranean coast, in northern Israel, April 26, 2023. (Reuters)
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Israel Approves Extra Gas Exports, Leviathan Field to Be Expanded 

An aerial view taken from a helicopter shows the Leviathan natural gas rig off the coast of the Mediterranean coast, in northern Israel, April 26, 2023. (Reuters)
An aerial view taken from a helicopter shows the Leviathan natural gas rig off the coast of the Mediterranean coast, in northern Israel, April 26, 2023. (Reuters)

Israel on Wednesday approved the export of more natural gas from its offshore fields to boost the economy and energy security, and its partners in the huge Leviathan project in turn said they planned to invest up to $500 million to expand its capacity.

Energy Minister Eli Cohen said the decision to more than double the amount of gas allowed for exports would strengthen diplomatic ties, improve Israel's energy security and bring an added windfall to the economy.

His ministry gave the green light for the export of an additional 118 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas from the east Mediterranean reserves, beyond the 105 bcm previously approved. The companies will still need to get specific export licenses for the additional quantities.

The Leviathan partners, which include operator Chevron and Israeli companies NewMed Energy and Ratio Energies, said they now intend to invest $400-500 million to expand the project, which primarily exports to Egypt and Jordan.

That includes the project's front-end engineering design and long lead items, NewMed said. It added that additional exports could rise to 145 bcm if certain conditions are fulfilled.

"Demand for natural gas in Israel and regional markets is rising and as such we are preparing to expand production at the Leviathan project," said Ratio chief executive Yigal Landau.

Leviathan currently produces 12 bcm a year, and that will gradually rise to about 21 bcm a year, NewMed said. It said the group is continuing to negotiate new deals to sell gas domestically and internationally.

Israel exported 8.6 bcm of gas to Egypt in 2023, which is an increase of 39% over the prior year. It also supplied Jordan with 2.9 bcm in 2023.