Saudi Arabia, Oman Discuss Oil Markets

A general view of Muscat, Oman. (AP)
A general view of Muscat, Oman. (AP)
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Saudi Arabia, Oman Discuss Oil Markets

A general view of Muscat, Oman. (AP)
A general view of Muscat, Oman. (AP)

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman discussed on Monday with his Omani counterpart Dr. Mohammed al-Rumhi coordination within OPEC + and their vision on oil market developments.

While oil prices are witnessing fluctuations as a result of the uncertainty in global economy, the Kingdom is seeking to secure global supplies to match the volume of global demand, leading to the stability of oil markets.

The ministers discussed means of boosting cooperation in various energy fields, including renewable energy, the circular carbon economy and sustainability, the Saudi Energy Ministry tweeted.

This comes in line with the close bilateral cooperation ties in all fields, especially the economic field, it added.

On January 4, OPEC and its allies, a group known as OPEC+, agreed to stick to its planned increase in oil output for February because it expects the Omicron coronavirus variant to have a short-lived impact on global energy demand.

The OPEC+ agreement allowed for a 400,000 bpd production increase in December from all members, of which about 253,000 bpd is shared by the 10 OPEC members participating in the deal.

Oman is a crude oil producing country and an OPEC+ member, with an average actual production of 1.1 million barrels per day.

Saudi Arabia is a large oil producer with an average daily production of 11 million barrels. It is the world’s third largest producer after Russia and the United States, and the largest oil exporter with an average of 7.4 million barrels per day.

The volume of trade exchange between Saudi Arabia and Oman amounted to $3.36 billion in 2020, while the value of Saudi non-oil exports to Oman reached $1016 billion, according to official media.



S&P Affirms Saudi Arabia’s 'A/A-1' Credit Rating, Outlook Improves to 'Positive'

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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S&P Affirms Saudi Arabia’s 'A/A-1' Credit Rating, Outlook Improves to 'Positive'

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Standard & Poor's (S&P) affirmed Saudi Arabia's credit rating in local and foreign currency at "A/A-1" with an improvement in outlook from "stable" to "positive," according to its recently issued report.
In its report, S&P explained that its affirmation of the Kingdom's strong credit rating results from continued efforts in comprehensive reforms and investments, which will contribute to supporting the development of the non-oil economy and the sustainability of public finances.
S&P indicated its expectation of increasing growth in the non-oil sector in the Kingdom in the medium term as a result of its continued implementation of the initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030, with the prioritization of accelerating major infrastructure projects with the aim of easing pressure on public finances.

S&P expected that the Kingdom's gross domestic product (GDP) will continue to grow during the years 2024-2027, based on the remarkable growth in investments in the non-oil sector, the rise in consumption rates, and its expectation that the Kingdom will emerge in the long term as a more diversified economy, with more job opportunities for young people.