THE SUDDEN DIP in oil prices last year has seen Al Falih’s power as CEO of the world’s largest crude exporter diminish slightly, but he is still a force to be reckoned with. The executive oversaw Saudi Aramco’s oil and gas production approach an all time high last year, boosted by record gas production of almost eight billion standard cubic feet per day. Now with plans to let the market take its course, he is expected to be a key part of the Saudi government’s decision to stick to its guns and maintain market share, even suggesting in a letter to staff that lower prices could also present opportunities for state-owned Aramco including lower project costs, and attracting new talent from more price-sensitive rivals.