Saudi Arabia Fit to Produce Carbon-Neutral Oil

Saudi Arabia Fit to Produce Carbon-Neutral Oil
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Saudi Arabia Fit to Produce Carbon-Neutral Oil

Saudi Arabia Fit to Produce Carbon-Neutral Oil

A recently published research paper revealed that Saudi Arabia has a competitive edge when it comes to producing carbon-neutral oil.

This enables the Kingdom to proceed with comprehensive applications of carbon capture, use, and storage for future transition to carbon-free oil production, while it can recycle carbon by-products into beneficial chemicals that can be utilized and marketed for use in multiple energy purposes.

Published by the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), the paper reveals that Saudi Arabia is currently working towards achieving a circular economy.

The paper discussed ways to coordinate initiatives of Kingdom Vision 2030 in order to achieve green growth in the Kingdom, which means increasing the GDP and continuing economic growth in parallel to cutting carbon dioxide emissions.

Saudi Arabia, according to the paper, produces the world’s lowest carbon levels per oil barrel and this gives the Kingdom a competitive edge in the future transition to producing carbon-neutral oil.

The paper stated that the Kingdom has an opportunity to become a major supplier of basic low-carbon petrochemicals as well as high-value chemicals by increasing the use of renewable energy and improving the efficiency of the refining, processing, and marketing industries in the petrochemical industry.

Titled “Green Growth Paths in The Kingdom,” the paper presented nine policies that promote green growth in Saudi Arabia.

The paper notes that the Kingdom's 2030 vision encourages green growth through its strategic goals, which include building new cities, developing national industry and logistic services, and upgrading digital technologies to enhance trade and local content by focusing on industry, mining, energy, and logistical services.



Gold Edges Up on Softer Dollar; Focus on US Inflation Data

Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
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Gold Edges Up on Softer Dollar; Focus on US Inflation Data

Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo
Gold bullions are displayed at GoldSilver Central's office in Singapore June 19, 2017. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

Gold prices inched up on Wednesday as the US dollar eased, while investors' focus shifted to key inflation data from the world's biggest economy for cues on the likely scale of a Federal Reserve rate cut next month.
Spot gold rose 0.3% to $2,639.30 per ounce, as of 0523 GMT. Bullion hit an over one-week low on Tuesday.
US gold futures rose 0.7% to $2,639.40.
The dollar index was down 0.1%, boosting gold's appeal for holders of other currencies. The greenback fell to a near one-week low on Tuesday.
"Gold has been fluctuating alongside dollar volatility. However, in the Asian session, the price movement has been marginal," said Kyle Rodda, financial market analyst at Capital.com.
"In the long run, I think Trump's trade war may be positive for gold because of higher debt loads and a touch of dedollarization," Rodda said.
Investors digested a handful of economic data on Tuesday indicating the economy remained on solid footing.
Traders will now closely monitor core PCE figures, initial jobless claims and GDP (first revision), set for release later in the day.
Markets currently see a 63% chance of a 25-basis-point rate cut by the Fed in December, as per the CME group's FedWatch tool.
Trump's appointments and policies that pressure the Fed, increase deficits, escalate tariffs, or raise concerns about US financial sustainability could collectively support gold prices, said Daan Struyven, co-head of global commodities research at Goldman Sachs.
Elsewhere, China's net gold imports via Hong Kong in October fell from September and were down 43% from the previous year, data showed.
On the geopolitical front, US-France brokered ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed group Hezbollah took effect at 0200 GMT on Wednesday.
Spot silver edged 0.2% higher to $30.47 per ounce, platinum fell 0.1% to $926.74 and palladium added 0.3% to $980.55