Aramco’s net income in the past quarter was the highest since the company’s listing in 2019
Future-proofing Aramco
Record profits allow for investment drive not just in the upstream but also the downstream and in lower-carbon
State oil heavyweight Saudi Aramco’s vast $48.8bn second-quarter profit—the biggest of any listed company worldwide—came as little surprise, given the oil market’s sustained bull run. The firm’s commitment to ploughing its windfall into an upstream expansion programme, designed to ensure it is not only a key player while the world has—in its view—continued long-term need for its core product, but also the ‘last man standing’ as and when oil demand finally goes into retreat, is also familiar ground. But it is also showing awareness of the gathering decarbonisation storm clouds. And it is likewise investing heavily to armour its business. Financial metrics were predictably glittering across th
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
