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.



Oil Trades in Tight Range Ahead of US Election

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo
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Oil Trades in Tight Range Ahead of US Election

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo

Oil prices traded in a narrow range on Tuesday ahead of what is expected to be an exceptionally close US presidential election, after rising more than 2% in the previous session as OPEC+ delayed plans to hike production in December.
Brent crude futures ticked down 3 cents, or 0.04%, to $75.05 a barrel by 0600 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $71.43 a barrel, down 4 cents, or 0.06%.
"We are now in the calm before the storm," IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said.
Oil prices were supported by Sunday's announcement from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and their allies, a group known as OPEC+, to push back a production hike by a month from December as weak demand and rising non-OPEC supply depress markets, Reuters said.
Still, risk-taking remains limited with a busy week - including the US election, the Federal Reserve's policy meeting, and China's National People's Congress (NPC) meeting - keeping many traders on the sidelines, said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG.
For now, polls suggest the US presidential race will be closely contested, and any delay in election results or even disputes could pose near-term risks for broader markets or drag on them for longer, added Yeap.
"Eyes are also on China's NPC meeting for any clarity on fiscal stimulus to uplift the country's demand outlook, but we are unlikely to see any strong commitment before the US presidential results, and that will continue to keep oil prices in a near-term waiting game," Yeap said.
Meanwhile, OPEC oil output rebounded in October as Libya resumed output, a Reuters survey found, although a further Iraqi effort to meet its cuts pledged to the wider OPEC+ alliance limited the gain.
More oil could come from OPEC producer Iran as Tehran has approved a plan to increase output by 250,000 barrels per day, the oil ministry's news website Shana reported on Monday.
In the US, a late season tropical storm predicted to intensify into a category 2 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico this week could reduce oil production by about 4 million barrels, researchers said.
"Technically, crude oil needs to rebound above resistance at $71.50/72.50 to negate the downside risks," IG's Sycamore said, referring to WTI prices.
"All of which suggests there won't be a scramble to chase it higher in the short term."
Ahead of US weekly oil data on Wednesday, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday that US crude stockpiles likely rose last week, while distillate and gasoline inventories fell.