UAE-Bahraini-Israeli Officials Discuss Investment Opportunities in Energy

Ministers and officials participating in the Emirati, Israeli, Bahraini meeting (WAM)
Ministers and officials participating in the Emirati, Israeli, Bahraini meeting (WAM)
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UAE-Bahraini-Israeli Officials Discuss Investment Opportunities in Energy

Ministers and officials participating in the Emirati, Israeli, Bahraini meeting (WAM)
Ministers and officials participating in the Emirati, Israeli, Bahraini meeting (WAM)

Emirati, Bahraini and Israeli officials in the energy sector discussed investment opportunities, as well as the mechanism to strengthen and develop them.

This came during a meeting hosted by the UAE to discuss practical steps to develop a joint energy strategy that serves the entire region.

The meeting brought together UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei, Bahraini Energy Minister Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, US Secretary of the Energy Department Dan Brouillette, Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, who attended the meeting virtually, and Director-General of Israeli Energy Ministry Ehud Adiri.

They indicated that their agreement will help attain common interests, support national economies, and contribute to achieving comprehensive development and prosperity, thus enhancing regional peace and stability.

The officials emphasized the importance of reinforcing joint efforts to address regional energy issues by developing energy resources, technologies, and related infrastructure as well as creating innovative and sustainable solutions to meet the needs of future generations, and increasing demand for energy.

The meeting followed the signing of the Abraham Accords between the UAE, Bahrain, US, and Israel last September in efforts to shape a more stable, integrated, and prosperous Middle East, reported WAM.

The conferees emphasized the importance of the Abraham Accords in opening new horizons for sustainable development and expressed their desire to further develop all fields, including the energy sector.

The officials stressed that enhancing access to reliable and affordable energy enhances stability in the Middle East and increases economic opportunities in a framework supported by the Accords.

The meeting also addressed regional energy connectivity and ways to expand partnerships in the oil, natural gas, and electricity sectors. They also touched on the manners of advancing ties to enhance economic growth and energy security.

Participants unanimously agreed that the cooperative approach to research and development, dissemination of advanced technologies, and investment in energy are important catalysts for peace and stability in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean regions.

The meeting reflected the keenness of all parties to leverage the advanced position of the US and Middle Eastern countries in the energy sector to promote peace and stability across the region, particularly in countries undergoing turmoil.

The conferees also affirmed commitment to building a sustainable future for the region’s people by engaging in partnerships that enhance peace and boost economic, political, and social prosperity.



Saudi Oil Giant Aramco Posts Third-Quarter Profits of $27.5 Billion

The Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at Hyvolution exhibition in Paris, France, February 1, 2024. (Reuters)
The Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at Hyvolution exhibition in Paris, France, February 1, 2024. (Reuters)
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Saudi Oil Giant Aramco Posts Third-Quarter Profits of $27.5 Billion

The Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at Hyvolution exhibition in Paris, France, February 1, 2024. (Reuters)
The Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at Hyvolution exhibition in Paris, France, February 1, 2024. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco reported third-quarter profits of $27.5 billion on Tuesday, down about 15% from last year as low oil prices ate into its revenues.

Aramco had revenues of $111.1 billion over the quarter, the company said in a filing on Riyadh's Tadawul stock exchange. It had $113 billion in revenues the same quarter last year.

Profits for the third quarter last year were $32.5 billion.

The profit decrease “was mainly due to the impact of lower crude oil prices and weakening refining margins,” Aramco said.

Profit for the first nine months of 2024 was $83.9 billion, down from $94.5 billion the year before.

Oil prices have been depressed over recent days as tensions in the Middle East appear to have receded slightly and as China's economy has slowed. Benchmark Brent crude traded Tuesday at around $75 a barrel.

Aramco will pay dividends of $20.28 billion for the third quarter and a performance-linked dividend of $10.77 billion, the company said. It has said it hopes its overall dividend for the year will be over $124 billion.