Saudi Arabia Sets Price Cap on Gasoline Prices in July

The royal directive aims to support citizens by setting price cap (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The royal directive aims to support citizens by setting price cap (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Sets Price Cap on Gasoline Prices in July

The royal directive aims to support citizens by setting price cap (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The royal directive aims to support citizens by setting price cap (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia set a ceiling on gasoline prices, the most widely used fuel to supply vehicles in the Kingdom.

The royal directive stipulates that the state should shoulder any increase over June pricing during the monthly periodical revision of the pricing.

The Executive Committee for Governance of Amending Energy and Water Products' Prices has announced the issuance of a royal directive, setting the prices in June 2021 for gasoline (Octane 91/SR2.18) and gasoline (Octane 95/SR2.33), noting they shall remain as the local ceiling price for gasoline, as of July 10, 2021.

The gasoline price for July 2021 that witnessed an increase (Octane 91/SR2.28) a liter and (Octane 95/SR2.44) a liter will fall under the approved pricing ceiling. However, the periodic revision of pricing shall remain, noting that it shall not exceed the ceiling, reported Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

"This emanates from the keenness of the leadership on mitigating the burdens of the livelihood of citizens as well as residents, and its ongoing seeking to realize the public interest and to reinforce the local economic activity," according to the official statement.

Saudi Aramco, the largest oil exporter in the world, conducts a periodic monthly review of gasoline prices in the local market to reduce the consumer's vulnerability to fluctuations in export prices.

Saudis welcomed the royal directive, and many commented on social media that despite the dire economic conditions in the world, the Saudi leadership supported its citizens.

They asserted the country's leadership always considers the needs of its people and takes measures that can help mitigate any difficult economic conditions.

Also, on social media, Saudi citizens and residents discussed the directive quoting "gasoline price subsidy" on various sites, praising the state decision.

Saudi Arabia wants to develop the infrastructure for fuel supply services in the Kingdom, led by Aramco.

Aramco has succeeded in developing its service stations sector and enhanced its access to retail customers in Saudi Arabia, following its entry into a 50:50 joint venture with Total, based on operating service stations within the Kingdom.



Oil Prices Likely to Fall after Israel Shows Restraint in Strikes on Iran

Oil pump jacks work at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, August 21, 2019. REUTERS/Jessica Lutz/File Photo
Oil pump jacks work at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, August 21, 2019. REUTERS/Jessica Lutz/File Photo
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Oil Prices Likely to Fall after Israel Shows Restraint in Strikes on Iran

Oil pump jacks work at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, August 21, 2019. REUTERS/Jessica Lutz/File Photo
Oil pump jacks work at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, August 21, 2019. REUTERS/Jessica Lutz/File Photo

Oil prices are expected to fall when trading resumes on Monday as Israel's retaliatory strike on Iran over the weekend bypassed Tehran's oil and nuclear infrastructure and did not disrupt energy supplies, analysts said.
Brent and US West Texas Intermediate crude futures gained 4% last week in volatile trade as markets priced in uncertainty around the extent of Israel's response to the Iranian missile attack on Oct. 1 and the US election next month, said Reuters.
Scores of Israeli jets completed three waves of strikes before dawn on Saturday against missile factories and other sites near Tehran and in western Iran, in the latest exchange in the escalating conflict between the Middle East rivals.
"The market can breathe a big sigh of relief; the known unknown that was Israel's eventual response to Iran has been resolved," Harry Tchilinguirian, group head of research at Onyx said on LinkedIn.
"Israel attacked after the departure of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and the US administration could not have hoped for a better outcome with US elections less than two weeks away."
Iran on Saturday played down Israel's overnight air attack against Iranian military targets, saying it caused only limited damage.
"Israel's not attacking oil infrastructure, and reports that Iran won't respond to the strike remove an element of uncertainty," Tony Sycamore, IG market analyst in Sydney, said.
"It's very likely we see a 'buy the rumor, sell the fact' type reaction when the crude oil futures markets reopen tomorrow," he said, adding that WTI may return to $70 a barrel level.
Tchilinguirian expects geopolitical risk premium that had been built into oil prices to deflate rapidly with Brent heading back towards $74-$75 a barrel.
UBS commodity analyst Giovanni Staunovo also expects oil prices to be depressed on Monday as Israel's response to Iran's attack appeared to have been restrained.
"But I would expect such downside reaction to be only temporary, as I believe the market didn't price a large risk premium," he added.