Saudi Oil Exports Reach $25.5 Bln in Oct.

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, US, November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Angus Mordant/File Photo/File Photo
The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, US, November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Angus Mordant/File Photo/File Photo
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Saudi Oil Exports Reach $25.5 Bln in Oct.

The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, US, November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Angus Mordant/File Photo/File Photo
The sun is seen behind a crude oil pump jack in the Permian Basin in Loving County, Texas, US, November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Angus Mordant/File Photo/File Photo

The value of Saudi oil exports during October 2022 reached 95.8 billion riyals ($25.5 billion), compared to 82.1 billion riyals ($21.9 billion) during October 2021, with an increase of (14 billion riyals), a percentage of 17.

According to the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), oil exports represented 77.5 percent of the overall exports of the Kingdom in October compared to 79.4 percent during the same month of last year.

Oil prices rose for the fourth day in a row on Thursday as US inventories of crude oil, heating oil and jet fuel dwindle just as a winter storm hits the United States and travel spikes into the holiday season.

Brent futures rose $1.16 percent, or 1.96 percent, at 1201 GMT, up about 2.7 percent from the previous session.

Futures for US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose $1.51, or 1.93 percent, to $79.80 a barrel.

Both benchmark oil contracts jumped on Wednesday after government data showed US crude inventories fell by much more than analysts had expected, posting a drop of 5.89 million barrels for the week ending Dec. 16.

Distillate stocks, which include heating oil and jet fuel, also declined, going against expectations for a build.

Stockpiles fell as demand for heating oil was set to soar because of the powerful winter storm in the US.

"The crude market is finely balanced," said National Australia Bank's head of commodity research Baden Moore.

"As we look into 2023, we see China's re-opening and a likely continued steady roll-up in global jet demand (towards 2019 levels) will tighten global crude markets and drive prices higher," he said.

China may be struggling to keep a tally of COVID-19 infections as the country experiences a big spike in cases, a senior World Health Organization official said on Wednesday.



Saudi Arabia Issues 86 Industrial Licenses in April Worth $587 Million

A part of Ras Al Khair Industrial City, which is considered the main cornerstone of the mining industry in the Kingdom (SPA)
A part of Ras Al Khair Industrial City, which is considered the main cornerstone of the mining industry in the Kingdom (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Issues 86 Industrial Licenses in April Worth $587 Million

A part of Ras Al Khair Industrial City, which is considered the main cornerstone of the mining industry in the Kingdom (SPA)
A part of Ras Al Khair Industrial City, which is considered the main cornerstone of the mining industry in the Kingdom (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources issued 86 new industrial licenses in April, totaling investments of SAR2.2 billion (USD587 million). This brings the year-to-date total to 410 licenses.

According to a report from the ministry’s National Center for Industrial and Mining Information released on Sunday, 67 factories began production in April, investing SAR1.5 billion (USD400 million).

Food production led with 12 new factories, followed by chemicals with 11, and rubber/plastics with 10.

The report noted that 92.5% of new factories were domestic, with joint ventures at 5.9% and foreign investments at 1.49%.

As of April 2024, Saudi Arabia had 11,800 operational or under-construction factories, with investments totaling SAR1.4 trillion (USD373 billion), up from about 10,800 in April 2023.

Small-scale facilities received 80.2% of new licenses, followed by medium-scale at 13.9%. Domestic factories accounted for 100% of the licenses by investment type.

The new licenses were distributed across 10 regions, led by Riyadh with 36 factories, Makkah with 22, and the Eastern Region with 17. Medina had three factories, while Qassim and Hail had two each. Najran, Asir, Al Jouf, and Tabuk each had on.

The ministry’s updates provide insights into Saudi Arabia’s industrial activity, highlighting changes in new investments and factory openings on a monthly basis.