BAGHDAD: Iraqi oil minister Jabar Al-Luaibi said he had sought clarifications from Russia’s biggest oil company Rosneft about contracts it signed with the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
Rosneft “assured that the contracts are preliminary and not ready for implementation,” the minister told reporters in Baghdad, giving no further details.
Rosneft agreed on Thursday to take control of Iraqi Kurdistan’s main oil pipeline, boosting its investment in the autonomous region to $3.5 billion.
The Iraqi government has warned companies against signing deals with the Kurdistan region and Baghdad’s forces this week wrested control of the oil-rich Kirkuk from Kurdish forces.
Rosneft agreed on Thursday to take control of Iraqi Kurdistan’s main oil pipeline, boosting its investment in the autonomous region to $3.5 billion.
Rosneft will be investing in expanding the pipeline hoping to boost its capacity by a third to 950,000 barrels per day. That is the equivalent of about 1 percent of global supply.
The pipeline usually carries 600,000 bpd but volumes dropped to just over 200,000 bpd this week after Iraqi forces took over the region of Kirkuk. The pipeline carries crude from Kirkuk and other fields in northern Iraqi to the Turkish Mediterranean port of Ceyhan.
Iraq seeks clarification from Rosneft about energy deal with Kurdistan region
Iraq seeks clarification from Rosneft about energy deal with Kurdistan region
Closing Bell: Saudi equities continue 4-day upward trend
RIYADH: Saudi equities closed higher on Wednesday, with the Tadawul All Share Index rising 51.52 points, or 0.47 percent, to finish at 10,945.15.
Trading activity was robust, with 373.9 million shares exchanged and total turnover reaching SR6.81 billion.
The MT30 Index also ended the session in positive territory, advancing 11.93 points, or 0.82 percent, to 1,472.82, while the Nomu Parallel Market Index declined 116.82 points, or 0.49 percent, to 23,551.47, reflecting continued volatility in the parallel market.
The main market saw 90 gainers against 171 decliners, indicating selective buying.
On the upside, Al Kathiri Holding Co. led gainers, closing at SR2.18, up SR0.12, or 5.83 percent. Wafrah for Industry and Development Co. advanced to SR23, gaining SR0.99, or 4.5 percent, while Al Ramz Real Estate Co. rose 4.35 percent to close at SR60.
SABIC Agri-Nutrients Co. added 4.21 percent to SR118.70, and Al Jouf Agricultural Development Co. climbed 4.12 percent to SR45.
Meanwhile, losses were led by Saudi Industrial Export Co., which fell 9.73 percent to SR2.69. United Cooperative Assurance Co. declined 5.08 percent to SR3.74, while Thimar Development Holding Co. dropped 4.54 percent to SR35.30.
Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. retreated 4.15 percent to SR48.50, and Gulf Union Alahlia Cooperative Insurance Co. slipped 3.96 percent to SR10.44.
On the announcement front, Saudi National Bank announced its intention to issue US dollar-denominated Additional Tier 1 capital notes under its existing international capital programe, with the final size and terms to be determined subject to market conditions and regulatory approvals.
The planned issuance aims to strengthen Tier 1 capital and support the bank’s broader financial and strategic objectives.
The stock closed at SR42.70, gaining SR0.70, or 1.67 percent, reflecting positive investor reaction to the capital management move.
Separately, Almasane Alkobra Mining Co. said its board approved the establishment of a wholly owned simplified joint stock company to provide drilling, exploration and related support services, with a share capital of SR100 million and headquarters in Najran, subject to regulatory approvals.
The new subsidiary aligns with the company’s strategy to enhance operational efficiency and expand its role in the Kingdom’s mining sector.
Shares of Almasane Alkobra Mining closed at SR98.70, up SR0.30, or 0.3 percent, by the end of the session.
