Realm of uncertainty in Saudi Arabia
Rarely has Saudi policy, across all spheres, been less predictable. Its reaction to a spate of terror attacks inside the kingdom may worsen this
Saudi Arabia, once a soothing presence for the world's oil market, is becoming another source of anxiety all on its own. Plans for economic transformation have arrived in recent months with a refreshing air of transparency - and yet offer little real direction, an array of impossible-to-meet targets, and a mishmash of aspirations. The Aramco initial public offering looms over oil policy and confuses the kingdom's messages to the market. Does Saudi Arabia want a higher oil price, so Aramco's value is greater? Is the company instead to keep chasing volume and market share? Or is the kingdom so convinced that the market is finally rebalancing that it thinks Aramco can get both - higher prices
Also in this section
18 February 2026
With Texas LNG approaching financial close, Alaska LNG advancing towards a phased buildout and Magnolia LNG positioned for future optionality, Glenfarne CEO Brendan Duval says the coming year will demonstrate how the company’s more focused, owner-operator approach is reshaping LNG infrastructure development in the North America
18 February 2026
The global gas industry is no longer on the backfoot, hesitantly justifying the value of its product, but has greater confidence in gas remaining a core part of the global energy mix for decades
18 February 2026
With marketable supply unlikely to grow significantly and limited scope for pipeline imports, Brazil is expected to continue relying on LNG to cover supply shortfalls, Ieda Gomes, senior adviser of Brazilian thinktank FGV Energia,
tells Petroleum Economist
17 February 2026
The 25th WPC Energy Congress, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 26–30 April 2026, will bring together leaders from the political, industrial, financial and technology sectors under the unifying theme “Pathways to an Energy Future for All”






