Saudi Energy Minister: OPEC+ to Do Whatever Necessary to Support Oil Market

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman (SPA)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman (SPA)
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Saudi Energy Minister: OPEC+ to Do Whatever Necessary to Support Oil Market

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman (SPA)
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman (SPA)

Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said OPEC+ would do whatever is necessary to support the oil market.

The Minister was speaking on the sidelines of the 8th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna on Wednesday.

On Monday, Saudi Arabia said it would extend the one million-barrel-per-day (bpd) production cut it had initially flagged for July into August, while Russia announced a 500,000-bpd decline in exports next month.

The Minister said Saudi Arabia makes voluntary cuts "because there was another, more urgent demand from the market, or another, more necessary expectation that OPEC + should act."

"If we want to be fair to everyone and if we want everyone to work together, we have to make sure that they maintain their focus on the most important topics and long-term issues. Deviating attention to another issue will lead to imbalances, which is why we chose to take this job on a provisional basis," he said.

The Minister noted that in June 2020, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Oman made a voluntary contribution for a month and voluntary reduction that began in February 2021 and lasted for three months.

"We made by gradually easing this reduction until July 2021."

"I ask you where we would have been today had it not been taken these steps at the time. I have reassured the market that there is a necessity for this position," he added.

Prince Abdulaziz explained that Russia's reduction was voluntary, pointing out that the simultaneous decrease in supply by the Kingdom and Russia shows the strong cooperation between the two nations.

"Russia's oil cut is meaningful because it affects exports," he said.

The Minister said that Saudi Arabia is no longer playing the role of a heavyweight producer, but instead, OPEC + plays this role.

He added that enhancing transparency depends on seven independent external bodies accredited to follow up on the countries' production in the oil cut agreement.

A recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicated that Russia did not comply with production cuts during May, and the Saudi Energy Minister warned that the data could disrupt the market.

In turn, UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei stressed that oil-producing countries have a more comprehensive view of the market and present a realistic outlook of the supply-demand balance.

Mazrouei explained that the periodic meetings of OPEC and OPEC+ help limit fluctuations and restore market balance and stability through cooperation and joint efforts, especially as OPEC and OPEC+ member countries account for around 40 percent of the global oil output.

"We are constantly working to monitor markets and relevant shifts to ensure taking timely and effective measures, which help boost stability across the market and drive economic development worldwide," Mazrouei added in a statement carried by WAM news agency.

He promised that the additional oil production and export cuts announced by Saudi Arabia and Russia earlier this week would help balance the market.

The total production cuts currently amount to more than 5 million bpd, or the equivalent of five percent of global oil production of about 100 million bpd.

Aramco CEO, Amin al-Nasser, pointed out that the corrective measures taken by Saudi Arabia will impact in the coming months, announcing plans to increase gas production by 50 to 60 percent by 2030.

Also at the conference, the OPEC Secretary-General, Haitham al-Ghais, said that the organization is keen on stabilizing the market, reducing the environmental footprint, and moving towards a sustainable and comprehensive energy transition.

In his welcome speech at the conference, Ghais added that "sustainability" revolves mainly around balance and meeting current generations' needs without compromising that of future generations.

He reviewed the importance of oil in global energy, the industry's primary role in reducing carbon emissions, and OPEC's efforts to achieve market stability, reduce the environmental footprint, and move towards a sustainable and comprehensive energy transition.



Saudi Arabia to Host World Investment Conference on November 25-27

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia to Host World Investment Conference on November 25-27

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Under the patronage of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) and Invest Saudi will hold the 28th annual World Investment Conference (WIC) in Riyadh from November 25 to 27.

The event will gather global leaders in investment, government, and international organizations to tackle the theme “Harnessing Digital Transformation and Sustainable Growth: Scaling Investment Opportunities”.

On the occasion, Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih said: “Under the wise leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salaman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed, the Kingdom, driven by its ambitious Vision 2030, has become a premier world investment destination and is experiencing unprecedented growth in overall investment amounts and diversity.”

This year’s World Investment Conference in Riyadh “will be a platform for sharing our nation’s strategic vision with our partners, and an invaluable opportunity to highlight our status as a trusted partner for sustainable economic growth,” he added.

“We look forward to welcoming investment leaders from around the world to forge partnerships that will benefit both the Kingdom and global economies,” he stressed.

Vision 2030 has driven significant economic reforms in Saudi Arabia, attracting substantial foreign investment. Over 28,900 foreign investment licenses have been issued, reflecting the Kingdom's transformation into a major global investment hub.

Key factors contributing to this growth include 100% foreign ownership in specific sectors, streamlined commercial register procedures, simplified visa issuance, and other investor-friendly initiatives that have created a favorable and appealing environment for investors in various sectors, including renewable energy, logistics services, and AI.

The Kingdom's attractive investment landscape has also facilitated the development of a dynamic economy that leads in innovation and growth.

WAIPA Executive Director and CEO Ismail Ersahin said: “WAIPA is excited to bring the 28th WIC to Riyadh, a city that perfectly embodies the future of investment. The conference will provide a crucial platform for Investment Promotion Agencies and investors to discuss emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving global landscape.”

“We deeply appreciate Saudi Arabia’s vision and leadership, which will ensure that this edition of WIC is an impactful gathering for all participants,” he remarked.

Key highlights of this year’s WIC are a range of conference tracks, such as high-level dialogues with government ministers, insightful sessions on technology, sustainability, and economic cooperation, as well as practical masterclasses for investment professionals, a dedicated entrepreneurship track that will emphasize the transformative role of startups and innovators, and exclusive matchmaking sessions that will facilitate strategic partnerships between investors, SMEs, and potential collaborators.

Participants will also have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Investment Promotion Agencies on the Awards Track, honoring innovation and excellence in investment facilitation.

This year’s WIC promises to be a pivotal forum as it aligns with global investment drivers: the disruptive influence of technology and AI, global supply chain resilience, energy transition toward sustainability, and the transformative role of entrepreneurs and startups in reshaping investment landscapes traditionally led by multinational corporations.

Leaders and stakeholders will discuss and explore how these factors are redefining economies and driving forward-looking investment models worldwide.

With its focus on scaling investment opportunities, WIC is designed to equip attendees with the tools, knowledge, and connections necessary to drive meaningful economic impact.