Home Industry Energy Saudi Arabia raises oil prices for Asia and Europe for April Prices for US customers were left unchanged by Bloomberg March 6, 2023 Saudi Arabia signalled it sees oil demand picking up in Asia and Europe by raising most prices for crude shipments to the regions. While oil futures have weakened slightly this year, many energy traders and executives see them climbing — perhaps to $100 a barrel — as China’s economy recovers after the lifting of coronavirus lockdowns and inflation in other major economies decelerates. State-controlled Saudi Aramco increased most official selling prices for Asia in April. The company’s main Arab Light grade was lifted to $2.50 a barrel above the regional benchmark, 50 cents more than the level for March. That was in line with a Bloomberg survey of refiners and traders, which forecast a rise of 55 cents. It’s the second month running for which Aramco has increased prices for Asia, its biggest market. Prices for US and Europe Prices for US customers were left unchanged. Those for North-West Europe and the Mediterranean jumped by as much as $1.30 a barrel. Brent crude has dipped 0.1 per cent this year to $85.83 a barrel. It’s fallen from around $115 since mid-2022, with a slowing global economy and higher interest rates countering supply disruptions triggered by the Ukrainian crisis. Aramco’s chief executive officer suggested last week he sees a turnaround. “The demand from China is very strong,” Amin Nasser told Bloomberg in Riyadh on March 1. It’s also “excellent” in Europe and the US, he said. Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter and leads the OPEC+ group of producers along with Russia. The 23-nation alliance has suggested it will not raise production until at least next year. Aramco sells about 60 per cent of its crude shipments to Asia, most of them under long-term contracts, pricing for which is reviewed each month. China, Japan, South Korea and India are the biggest buyers. The company’s pricing decisions are often followed by other Gulf producers such as Iraq and Kuwait. Also read: Wizz Air inaugurates three new routes from Europe to Jeddah Tags Asia China energy Europe India oil Saudi Arabia 0 Comments You might also like Abu Dhabi’s Masdar, Presight to develop AI asset management tool OPEC cuts 2024, 2025 global oil demand growth view again Empowering women entrepreneurs: unlocking a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity Saudi Crown Prince not attending Russia’s BRICS summit