Saudi Arabia pivots east
Asia will remain the driving force behind global energy demand growth, and the kingdom is poised to meet the region's needs
Asian economies are increasingly strategically important to global oil and gas markets, Saudi Arabia's energy minister Khalid Al-Falih told AOGC 2017 in the conference's opening address on 8 May. "We are excited about prospects for partnership which enhances Saudi Aramco's position as a leading supplier of energy to Malaysia and the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region, which we see as the most important market in the world," he said. The last 30 years have revealed Asia-Pacific as the world's fastest-growing region for energy demand. That, Al-Falih asserted, would continue because of expectations of robust economic growth and demographic trends. "In 2050, half of the top
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






