Saudi Aramco, Thailand’s PTT Sign MoU to Deepen Energy Cooperation

Officials of Saudi Aramco and Thailand’s PTT signing an MoU on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials of Saudi Aramco and Thailand’s PTT signing an MoU on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Aramco, Thailand’s PTT Sign MoU to Deepen Energy Cooperation

Officials of Saudi Aramco and Thailand’s PTT signing an MoU on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials of Saudi Aramco and Thailand’s PTT signing an MoU on Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Aramco and Thailand’s PTT have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen energy cooperation in Thailand.

The MoU targets the supply and trading of crude oil, petrochemicals, and liquified natural gas (LNG).

It focuses on clean energy, carbon capture, and electric vehicles, and outlined potential collaboration across both upstream and downstream operations.

Other potential areas of activity include blue and green hydrogen, Aramco said.

The companies also aim to strengthen cooperation across crude oil sourcing and marketing of refining and petrochemical products.

Ibrahim al-Buainain, Aramco Vice President of Sales, Trading and Supply Planning, said the MoU is an opportunity to achieve the optimal benefit from the supply chain in several vital and rapidly growing business sectors and expand in the downstream sector in Asia, which is one of the main catalysts for global demand for energy and chemical products.

Both countries have been seeking to develop ties in the economic, trade, and investment fields to meet their future aspirations.

They restored diplomatic ties earlier this year during a visit to Riyadh by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

He held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.

They agreed to restore ties and open a new chapter in relations after years of efforts to rebuild trust and friendship.

Both countries also agreed in March to strengthen economic ties and boost bilateral investment.

This came as Deputy Chairman of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Tariq al-Haidari discussed with Sathana Ayudhya, the Thai Chargé d'Affaires and head of the diplomatic mission at the Thai Embassy, opportunities for future cooperation, mainly in the tourism sector.

Talks tackled work to bolster public and private efforts to enhance bilateral relations and find a mechanism to increase economic and commercial cooperation.

They also discussed means of exploring investment fields and available opportunities under the Saudi Vision 2030, as well as development opportunities in Thailand, especially in the fields of green economy, renewable energy, environment, digital transformation, and cybersecurity.

Haidari underlined the private sector’s key role in developing ties with other countries, benefiting from investment opportunities, and overcoming obstacles hindering the implementation of joint commercial and industrial projects.



Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
TT

Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

Oil prices were up slightly on Friday on stronger-than-expected US economic data that raised investor expectations for increasing crude oil demand from the world's largest energy consumer.

But concerns about soft economic conditions in Asia's biggest economies, China and Japan, capped gains.

Brent crude futures for September rose 7 cents to $82.44 a barrel by 0014 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude for September increased 4 cents to $78.32 per barrel, Reuters reported.

In the second quarter, the US economy grew at a faster-than-expected annualised rate of 2.8% as consumers spent more and businesses increased investments, Commerce Department data showed. Economists polled by Reuters had predicted US gross domestic product would grow by 2.0% over the period.

At the same time, inflation pressures eased, which kept intact expectations that the Federal Reserve would move forward with a September interest rate cut. Lower interest rates tend to boost economic activity, which can spur oil demand.

Still, continued signs of trouble in parts of Asia limited oil price gains.

Core consumer prices in Japan's capital were up 2.2% in July from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, raising market expectations of an interest rate hike in the near term.

But an index that strips away energy costs, seen as a better gauge of underlying price trends, rose at the slowest annual pace in nearly two years, suggesting that price hikes are moderating due to soft consumption.

China, the world's biggest crude importer, surprised markets for a second time this week by conducting an unscheduled lending operation on Thursday at steeply lower rates, suggesting authorities are trying to provide heavier monetary stimulus to prop up the economy.