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Saudi Aramco Hikes Official Selling Prices of Arab Crude

Oil markets are optimistic about rising Chinese demand. (Reuters)
Oil markets are optimistic about rising Chinese demand. (Reuters)
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Saudi Aramco Hikes Official Selling Prices of Arab Crude

Oil markets are optimistic about rising Chinese demand. (Reuters)
Oil markets are optimistic about rising Chinese demand. (Reuters)

Saudi Aramco has increased Official Selling Prices (OSPs) for April-loading crude to Asia, Europe, and America largely in line with expectations of oil demand recovery during the second quarter of 2023.

For Aramco's key customer base in Asia, differentials for the flagship Arab Light grade were lifted to Platts Dubai/DME Oman +$2.50/b for loading next month.

Arab Light for April to the US was up +$6.65/b over ASCI (Argus Sour Crude Index).

This coincides with optimism in the oil markets about the increasing demand for oil from China, the biggest oil importer globally.

Brent and WTI notched their third biggest weekly percentage gains this year as strong Chinese economic data fed hopes for oil demand growth.

Brent crude futures traded at $85 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures settled at $80 a barrel. Both benchmarks posted their highest closing levels since Feb. 13.

The head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol, told the French publication Liberation that "Russia has lost the energy battle."

Russia's position as a significant energy supplier has suffered a permanent setback following the West's abandonment of Moscow's oil and gas due to its war in Ukraine, according to the head of IEA.

He noted that Moscow's oil and gas exports have fallen by 40 percent since its military forces invaded Ukraine a year ago, adding that this is just the start of its problems.

Birol also emphasized that the departure of foreign experts from Russia would result in a decrease in oil and gas production without their technical support.

It would take years to build pipelines from Western Siberia to China, he added.

“Russia's role in international energy affairs will be much less important in the future,” Birol said.

Exports via a major pipeline, which delivers natural gas to mainland Europe from the UK through Belgium, have been shut due to an equipment failure, according to Bloomberg.

The late Saturday halt to the link’s export capacities is expected to last until March 8, operator Interconnector Ltd said in a notice on its website Sunday.

The pipeline has been an important source of supplies to the European Union after severe cuts in exports from Russia. Even so, flows from Britain already fell last week as a late-winter cold snap boosts the country’s domestic demand for the fuel.

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Saudi Budget Shows Continued Government Spending on Mega-Projects

King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Budget Shows Continued Government Spending on Mega-Projects

King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s third-quarter budget results this year reflect the government’s commitment to boosting spending on mega-projects while working to increase revenue and contain the budget deficit.
Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan stressed that managing the deficit is a key priority. He outlined strategies to ensure sustainable debt management, including directing debt to high-return sectors and attracting domestic and foreign investments.
The Ministry of Finance reported a budget deficit of SAR 30.23 billion ($8.06 billion) in the third quarter, down 15.6% from the same period last year. This brought the total deficit for the first nine months of the year to SAR 57.96 billion.
Government Spending and Revenues
Government revenues grew 20% in the third quarter to SAR 309.21 billion ($82.4 billion), while spending rose 15% to SAR 339.44 billion.
Non-oil revenues increased 6% year-on-year to SAR 118.3 billion, though they were 16% lower than in the previous quarter. Oil revenues climbed 30% year-on-year to SAR 190.8 billion but dropped 10% from the second quarter.
As of the third quarter, Saudi Arabia’s actual revenues for 2024 reached SAR 956.233 billion ($254.9 billion), a 12% rise from 2023.
Saudi Arabia’s spending topped SAR 1 trillion ($266.6 billion) by the end of the third quarter, a 13% increase from SAR 898.3 billion ($239.5 billion) a year earlier. The budget deficit for this period reached SAR 57.96 billion ($15.4 billion).
Saudi Budget Outlook and Reserve Update
The Kingdom’s Finance Ministry expects 2024 revenues to reach SAR 1.172 trillion ($312.5 billion), slightly below last year’s SAR 1.212 trillion ($323.2 billion). Expenditures are projected at SAR 1.251 trillion ($333.6 billion), with a budget deficit of SAR 79 billion ($21 billion), close to last year’s SAR 80.9 billion ($21.5 billion). By the end of the third quarter, the general reserve balance stood at SAR 390 billion ($104 billion), with the current account at SAR 76.7 billion ($20.4 billion) and public debt at SAR 1.157 trillion ($308.7 billion).
Vision 2030 Projects, Economic Reforms
Shura Council member Fadhel al-Buainain attributed the spending increase to Vision 2030 projects and social welfare programs, noting a 6% rise in non-oil revenues and a 16% boost in oil revenues.
He stressed that these gains contribute to financial stability and diversification efforts.
Enhanced Services and Growth Sectors
Dr. Mohammed Makni, Assistant Professor of Finance & Investment at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, highlighted the government’s focus on improving health, education, and quality of life, which are part of Vision 2030 goals impacting citizen services.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Makni explained that Saudi Arabia’s recent expansionary spending aims to complete Vision 2030 projects.
He added that the third-quarter budget reflects positive growth across oil and non-oil activities, which have boosted revenues.
Economist Dr. Mohammed al-Qahtani pointed out that non-oil sectors and efficient spending helped reduce the third-quarter deficit.
He cited strong growth in tourism, culture, and entertainment as key contributors to non-oil revenues. Al-Qahtani expects continued improvement in the fourth quarter, especially if oil prices strengthen.