OPEC+ Doing ‘Noble’ Job of Balancing Oil Market, Says UAE Energy Minister

United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei, speaks to reporters, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit, in Dubai, UAE, February 12, 2024. (Reuters)
United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei, speaks to reporters, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit, in Dubai, UAE, February 12, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

OPEC+ Doing ‘Noble’ Job of Balancing Oil Market, Says UAE Energy Minister

United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei, speaks to reporters, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit, in Dubai, UAE, February 12, 2024. (Reuters)
United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei, speaks to reporters, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit, in Dubai, UAE, February 12, 2024. (Reuters)

United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said on Wednesday OPEC+ was doing a noble job of balancing the oil market even if does not produce the majority of oil in the world.

"OPEC+ has sacrificed more than others but the critical element is that it is staying together," Mazrouei said at an industry event in the emirate of Fujairah.

"I would like you to imagine the world without this group. We would be in chaos," Mazrouei said speaking hours before a planned virtual meeting of an OPEC+ committee.

Output from OPEC+, which groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, equates to 48% of world oil supply, according to Reuters calculations based on figures from the International Energy Agency.

Oil prices jumped by over a dollar on Wednesday due to rising concerns Middle East tensions could escalate. Brent crude stood at $74.56 a barrel at 0330 GMT.



Abu Dhabi's ADNOC to Buy German Chemicals Company Covestro for $16.4 Bln

A general view of ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates May 29, 2019. (Reuters)
A general view of ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates May 29, 2019. (Reuters)
TT

Abu Dhabi's ADNOC to Buy German Chemicals Company Covestro for $16.4 Bln

A general view of ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates May 29, 2019. (Reuters)
A general view of ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates May 29, 2019. (Reuters)

Abu Dhabi state oil giant ADNOC said on Tuesday that it has agreed to buy German chemicals producer Covestro for 15.9 billion euros ($18 billion) including debt, sending Covestro shares up 4% in early trade.

The deal represents one of the biggest foreign takeovers by a Gulf state as Abu Dhabi and other countries in the region seek to reduce their economies' heavy dependence on oil in the face of the global energy transition.

It follows protracted negotiations between the two companies and will see ADNOC pay 62 euros per Covestro share, equal to 14.7 billion euros including about 3 billion euros in debt.

ADNOC added it would also buy 1.17 billion euros worth of new shares in Covestro, a former Bayer unit, from a capital increase to improve funding of the takeover target.

The deal marks a cornerstone for ADNOC's plans to grow its petrochemicals business along with gas and renewable energy.

Covestro, which makes plastics and chemicals for the automotive, construction and engineering sectors, was created in 2015 after being spun off from Bayer.