Saudi Arabia Signs 3 Agreements with Japanese Companies

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Saudi Electricity Company Logo
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Saudi Arabia Signs 3 Agreements with Japanese Companies

Saudi Electricity Company Logo
Saudi Electricity Company Logo

Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) signed on Monday three cooperation agreements with Japanese companies to implement "Electric Motor Pilot Project in the Kingdom" aiming to evaluate and develop this trend and reduce the percentage of pollution associated with similar vehicles operating with internal combustion engines.

During the signing ceremony with officials of Tokyo Electricity Holding Company, Nissan Auto Company and Takawaka Toco Energy Solutions, deputy CEO of SEC for engineering and projects, Khalid al-Rashid said the project is an important step to transfer modern technologies in using electric energy, in general, and electric car technology, in particular, said Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Rashid explained the deal covers the development of a quick electric charger for cars that can be charged within half an hour. Nissan Auto Company will furnish three electric cars to SEC, while Takawaka Toco Energy Solutions will provide the company with three quick electric auto chargers, he told the reporters.

The CEO acknowledged that there is a growing trend for the use of this type of cars and global companies are exerting great efforts to use them instead of traditional cars, adding that the upcoming period will witness more efforts to assess the utilization of such promising experiences, added SPA.

The deal also includes a study prepared by SEC and the three Japanese companies on how to operate electric cars in the Kingdom, the suitability and requirements of operation, and the expansion of the project in a manner that will achieve the objectives and future plans of all parties, indicated Rashid.

Saudi Electricity Company has signed over the past few years a number of deals and memos of understanding with key Japanese companies to build strategic relations with global manufacturers to transfer and localize new technologies in the area of electric energy, professional training programs and transfer of expertise, and scientific and technical conferences.



Oil Prices Set to End Week over 3% Lower as Supply Risks Ease

FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo
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Oil Prices Set to End Week over 3% Lower as Supply Risks Ease

FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo

Oil prices fell on Friday, heading for a weekly drop of more than 3%, as concerns over supply risks from the Israel-Hezbollah conflict eased, alleviating earlier disruption fears.
Brent crude futures fell 55 cents, or 0.8%, to $72.73 a barrel by 0758 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $69.52, down 20 cents, or 0.3%, compared with Wednesday's closing price.
On a weekly basis, Brent futures were down 3.3% and the U.S. WTI benchmark was trading 3.8% lower.
Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah traded accusations on Thursday over alleged violations of their ceasefire that came into effect the day before. The deal had at first appeared to alleviate the potential for supply disruption from a broader conflict that had led to a risk premium for oil.
Oil supplies from the Middle East, though, have been largely unaffected during Israel's parallel conflicts with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
OPEC+, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, delayed its next policy meeting to Dec. 5 from Dec. 1 to avoid a scheduling conflict. OPEC+ is expected to further extend its production cuts at the meeting.
BMI, a unit of Fitch Solutions, downgraded its Brent price forecast on Friday to $76/bbl in 2025 from $78/bbl previously, citing a "bearish fundamental outlook, ongoing weakness in oil market sentiment and the downside pressure on prices we expect to accrue under Trump."
"Although we expect the OPEC+ group will opt to roll-over the existing cuts into the new year, this will not be sufficient to fully erase the production glut we forecast for next year," BMI analysts said in a note.
Also on Thursday, Russia struck Ukrainian energy facilities for the second time this month. ANZ analysts said the attack risked retaliation that could affect Russian oil supply.
Iran told a UN nuclear watchdog it would install more than 6,000 additional uranium-enriching centrifuges at its enrichment plants, a confidential report by the watchdog said on Thursday.
Analysts at Goldman Sachs have said Iranian supply could drop by as much as 1 million barrels per day in the first half of next year if Western powers tighten sanctions enforcement on its crude oil output.