Saudi Arabia, Sudan Discuss Investment in Energy

Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hasan Jaafar
Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hasan Jaafar
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Saudi Arabia, Sudan Discuss Investment in Energy

Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hasan Jaafar
Saudi Ambassador to Sudan Ali bin Hasan Jaafar

Saudi Arabia has expressed willingness to cooperate with Sudan and invest in projects in the fields of energy, oil and minerals.

Sudanese Energy Minister Jadain Ali Obeid held talks with the Saudi Ambassador to Sudan, Ali bin Hasan Jaafar, a ministry statement read on Monday.

The Ambassador stressed the importance of activating the “Sudanese-Saudi Standing Committee” to exploit the resources of the Red Sea, as well as the MoU on gas and oil exploration.

Jaafar pointed to the initiative proposed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Premier and Defense Minister, during a visit by Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and other senior officials to Riyadh earlier this month.

The Crown Prince committed to investing $3 billion in a joint fund for investments in Sudan and to encouraging other parties to participate.

Jaafar also suggested opening offices in Khartoum to some of the major Saudi companies, including Aramco, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and the Saudi Arabian Mining Co. (Maaden) and expanding relations with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.

Obeid said his ministry will propose energy investment projects during the Paris Conference scheduled to be held in May.

He welcomed the invitation to visit the Kingdom, learn about the Saudi experience and benefit from its expertise in the fields of oil and energy.



Oil Trims Gains on Dollar Strength, Tight Supplies Provide Support

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
TT

Oil Trims Gains on Dollar Strength, Tight Supplies Provide Support

FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil pump jack is seen at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, May 3, 2017. REUTERS/Ernest Scheyder/File Photo

Oil prices trimmed earlier gains on Wednesday as the dollar strengthened but continued to find support from a tightening of supplies from Russia and other OPEC members and a drop in US crude stocks.

Brent crude was up 21 cents, or 0.27%, at $77.26 a barrel at 1424 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed 27 cents, or 0.36%, to $74.52.

Both benchmarks had risen more than 1% earlier in the session, but pared gains on a strengthening US dollar.

"Crude oil took a minor tumble in response to a strengthening dollar following news reports that Trump is considering declaring a national economic emergency to provide legal ground for universal tariffs," added Ole Hansen, analyst at Saxo Bank.

A stronger dollar makes oil more expensive for holders of other currencies.

"The drop (in oil prices) seems to be driven by a general shift in risk sentiment with European equity markets falling and the USD getting stronger," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.

Oil output from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries fell in December after two months of increases, a Reuters survey showed.

In Russia, oil output averaged 8.971 million barrels a day in December, below the country's target, Bloomberg reported citing the energy ministry.

US crude oil stocks fell last week while fuel inventories rose, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

Despite the unexpected draw in crude stocks, the significant rise in product inventories was putting those prices under pressure, PVM analyst Tamas Varga said.

Analysts expect oil prices to be on average down this year from 2024 due in part to production increases from non-OPEC countries.

"We are holding to our forecast for Brent crude to average $76/bbl in 2025, down from an average of $80/bbl in 2024," BMI, a division of Fitch Group, said in a client note.