Tuesday, September 16, 2025
23.8 C
Lagos

Saudi Arabia: Expect Crude $60 Oil by Year End

That’s what powerful new Saudi Energy Minister, Khalid Al Falih told CNNMoney’s John Defterios in an exclusive interview.

Al Falih was speaking just after OPEC wrapped up a summit in Vienna. During the meeting OPEC decided against implementing a cartel-wide production quota range, once again failing to reach an agreement to cap oil production.

“The right thing to do is continue to monitor the market and let the market do its thing. It’s working in our favor now,” Al Falih said, alluding to declines in non-OPEC production and rising oil prices.

Al Falih, who replaced longtime Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi in May, said $60 oil by year end is “very possible” and higher prices in 2017 are also likely. He said supply and demand have “converged” and prices have been lifted by supply outages.

Recent supply disruptions in Nigeria, Canada and Colombia have helped lift oil to $50 a barrel, up nearly twofold from mid-February.

Higher oil prices will be greeted by groans from many American drivers. Already, crude’s big rebound has lifted gasoline prices to $2.32 a gallon, compared with $1.70 in February, according to AAA.

But Al Falih warned that $50 oil is not high enough to attract the investment needed to maintain the world’s aging oilfields. Longer term, the new Saudi energy minister is concerned over a potential shortage that causes a price “spike” that is “counterproductive to the long-term stability for oil.”

More immediately, Saudi Arabia is at odds with Iran, its longtime OPEC ally that is ramping up production to pre-sanctions levels despite ample supply.

Al Falih reiterated Saudi’s stance that Iran must be part of any future OPEC agreements to curb output. “If everybody freezes, Iran will freeze like everybody else,” he said.

But Al Falih seemed to offer a softer position than his predecessor, acknowledging that “every country has the sovereign right to manage its own oil production.” He also called Iran a “key member” of OPEC and pledged Saudi Arabia will “cooperate with all” member countries.

The OPEC meeting and interview came a day after Saudi Arabia announced a $3.5 billion investment in Uber. The money came from the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s main investment fund, at a time when the kingdom has announced a big diversification strategy.

Al Falih said the Uber stake is “symbolic of the new thinking within the kingdom” and is “only the beginning.”

“Saudi Arabia is opening up,” he said.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

Designing the Future: Arc Christian Benimana, Prof Taibat Lawanson to Headline Ecobank Design and Build 2025

Ecobank Nigeria has announced that celebrated architect Arc. Christian...

Sovereign Trust Insurance Wins Enactus Catalyst Award

From L-R: Victor Akinfala, Head Partnerships & Special Projects,...

SEC DG: Commission Considering Gradual Implementation of ISSB Standards

The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission...

Universal Insurance MD/CEO, Jeff Duru, Bags CIBN Associate Membership

  Dr. Jeff Duru Managing Director/CEO Universal Insurance Plc The Managing Director/CEO of...

Sterling One Foundation CEO, Olapeju Ibekwe, Joins Board of UN Global Compact Network Nigeria Ahead of UNGA 80

    Olapeju Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation,...

Topics

CIIN: The Muftau Oyegunle 12-Month Milestones

 Sir Muftau Oyegunle President/Chairman of Council Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria...

Newly Appointed MD/CEO Of NAIC Resumes Office, Pledges Inclusive Reforms

The newly appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the...

Ecobank MD Affirms Support for Movie Industry

The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan says the...

African Leaders Seek World Bank Support on Power

Speaking at the World Bank meeting in Bali this...

Book on Dividend Payment Profile of Quoted Firms Underway

The management of Third Observers Nigeria Limited has announced...

AIG CEO Rejects Plan to Split Insurance Firm

American International Group Inc. Chief Executive Officer, Peter Hancock...

BCG: Fusion of Tech, Human Capabilities Delivers Innovation, Growth for Firms

A new Boston Consulting Company (BCG) research findings published...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img