Aramco CEO Warns of Global Oil Crunch Due to Lack of Investment

Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at the oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia October 12, 2019. (Reuters)
Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at the oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia October 12, 2019. (Reuters)
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Aramco CEO Warns of Global Oil Crunch Due to Lack of Investment

Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at the oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia October 12, 2019. (Reuters)
Saudi Aramco logo is pictured at the oil facility in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia October 12, 2019. (Reuters)

The world is facing a major oil supply crunch as most companies are afraid to invest in the sector as they face green energy pressures, the head of Saudi Aramco told Reuters, adding it cannot expand production capacity any faster than promised.

Amin Nasser, head of the world's largest oil producer, said on Monday he was sticking to the target of expanding capacity to 13 million barrels per day from the current 12 million by 2027.

"The world is running with less than 2% of spare capacity. Before COVID the aviation industry was consuming 2.5 million bpd more than today. If the aviation industry picks up speed, you are going to have a major problem," Nasser told Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

"What happened in Russia-Ukraine masked what would have happened. We were going through an energy crisis because of a lack of investment. And it started to bite following the pandemic," he added.

Nasser said COVID restrictions in China would not last long and global oil demand would therefore resume its growth.

"If we could do it (expand capacity) before 2027 we would have done it. This is what we tell policymakers. It takes time".

Chaotic transition
Nasser also said dialogue between the oil industry and policymakers over the transition from fossil fuels to energy which does not result in carbon emissions has been problematic.

"I don't think there is a lot of constructive dialogue going on. In certain areas we are not brought to the table. We were not invited to COP in Glasgow," he said referring the last year's UN climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

He also said last year's message from the International Energy Agency that world oil demand was set to fall and no new investment in fossil fuel was needed had a profound impact.

"We need a more constructive dialogue. They say we don't need you by 2030, so why would you go and build a project that takes 6-7 years. Your shareholder will not allow you to do it".

The energy transition process was therefore often proving chaotic and disruptive, he said.

"There is no good plan... When you don't have plan B ready, don't demonize plan A," he said. "The pressure and the rhetoric is -- don't invest, you will have stranded assets. It makes difficult for CEOs to make investments."

So-called stranded asset theory is the notion that significant oil and gas reserves are left unused because they are longer required.

Nasser said missteps during the global energy transition would only encourage greater use of coal by many Asian countries.

"For policymakers in those countries the priority is to put food on the table for their people. If coal can do it half the price they will do it with coal".

He said Aramco, where Saudi Arabia is the main shareholder, was different as it was investing in both fossil fuel and energy transition.

"That is our difference from others. But what we are adding is not enough to meet the energy security of the world."



PIF Launches New Company to Deliver Expo 2030 Riyadh

PIF Launches New Company to Deliver Expo 2030 Riyadh
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PIF Launches New Company to Deliver Expo 2030 Riyadh

PIF Launches New Company to Deliver Expo 2030 Riyadh

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced the launch of Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC), wholly owned by PIF, to build and operate the facilities of Expo 2030 Riyadh –Saudi Arabia’s first World Expo– as well as preserving the legacy of the event.

In a press release, PIF said the masterplan for Expo 2030 Riyadh covers an area of six million square meters, making it one of the biggest World Expo sites. The Expo will be to the north of the city, near the future King Salman International Airport, and with direct connections to the Saudi capital’s landmarks.

According to SPA, Expo 2030 Riyadh is projected to attract more than 40 million visits. After the expo event, ERC plans to lead the transformation of the Expo’s gated area into a global village to serve as a multicultural hub for retail, food and beverage, surrounded by an international residential community with world-class amenities, and setting new standards in sustainable tourism, according to the release.

PIF continues with its strategic mandate to achieve economic impact for Saudi Arabia while securing sustainable returns. PIF is one of the world’s most impactful investors, driving Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification while also enabling the creation of key sectors and opportunities that help shape the global economy. PIF leads the development of transformative giga-projects and landmark real estate initiatives across Saudi Arabia.

PIF Head of the Local Real Estate Investment Division Saad Alkroud said: “ERC benefits from PIF’s diverse local and global ecosystem and the establishment of the company aligns with PIF’s local real estate strategy, which drives economic transformation and diversification, advancing urban innovation and enhancing quality of life, driven by the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”

ERC is swiftly launching operations to fulfill its mandate, and will partner with the local and global private sector to achieve its goals for construction, cultural programming and event management, added the release.

Expo 2030 Riyadh runs from October 1, 2030 to March 31, 2031 and will further strengthen the city’s attractiveness to international businesses. It marks the city’s status as one of the world’s fastest-transforming capitals, one that combines sustainability, connectivity, and quality of life at scale. Riyadh was awarded the hosting rights for Expo 2030 in November 2023, winning the vote in the first round.

During its construction phases, Expo 2030 Riyadh and its legacy are projected to contribute around $64 billion to Saudi GDP and generate approximately 171,000 direct and indirect jobs. Once operational, it is expected to contribute approximately $5.6 billion to GDP.

Countries participating in Expo 2030 Riyadh will have the option of building permanent pavilions and being part of the event’s legacy. The Expo will provide opportunities for long-term business and investment growth.