The sultanate has been ramping up oil production despite a global supply glut that has hit oil prices as it hopes to compensate for the drop in oil revenues
Rising spending and falling oil revenues have created a state budget deficit which the International Monetary Fund projects at 20 per cent of GDP this year
Some Saudis close to the ruling family have warned that if Iran still manages to weaponise its nuclear programme, then the kingdom will have to follow suit
The International Energy Agency (IEA) said it expected global demand growth to slow next year to 1.2 million barrels per day from 1.4 million this year