WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia may still move forward with an initial public offering (IPO) for state oil company Saudi Aramco on an international exchange such as London or New York in the second half of 2018, despite previously raising doubts it could be delayed to next year, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said on Thursday.
Falih told Reuters in an interview in Washington the oil giant could be floated either domestically or internationally late this year. New York is still in the running for the IPO but Saudi officials still need to weigh the risk of potential “frivolous lawsuits” in its final decision.
“We have prepared all documentation to be ready to do both domestic and international listings,” Falih said. “We have not closed the door on 2018.” Saudi Arabia is planning to list up to 5 percent of Saudi Aramco in an initial public offering that could value it at up to $2 trillion and make it the world’s biggest oil company by market capitalization.
Falih said officials have prepared documentation to be ready to do both a domestic and an international listing.
Despite comments he made earlier this month that Aramco was too important to risk listing in the United States because of litigation concerns, such as existing lawsuits against rival oil companies for their role in climate change, he said New York is still in the running for the IPO.
“We have concerns obviously Aramco is too big and too valuable and too important and we could be potentially at risk from some frivolous lawsuits and litigation that we have to consider in our final decision,” he said.
Legal challenges could arise from a US law that would allow US victims of militant attacks to sue foreign governments for compensation.
Saudi energy minister says Aramco IPO could still happen in 2018
Saudi energy minister says Aramco IPO could still happen in 2018
Acwa inks deal to establish ammonia export corridor from Saudi Arabia to Germany
RIYADH: Saudi utility giant Acwa has signed a memorandum of understanding with Energie Baden-Wrttemberg AG, Rostock Port, and Verbundnetz Gas AG to establish an ammonia export corridor from the Kingdom to Germany.
According to a press statement, the signing ceremony was witnessed by Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, and Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Katherina Reiche.
Under the deal, the new corridor will extend green ammonia from its project in Yanbu to Germany’s Rostock Port. Later, VNG will convert ammonia to green hydrogen and will be injected into the European country’s national core network.
The development aligns with Acwa’s expansion strategy, as the company aims to establish itself as a key global player in the renewable energy sector.
Commenting on the latest deal, Marco Arcelli, CEO of Acwa, said: “The signing of this memorandum of understanding is an important move for all partners involved. By working together with Acwa, Rostock Port, and VNG, we are taking a step toward building a reliable green ammonia corridor from Saudi Arabia to Germany.”
He added: “It leverages Acwa’s Yanbu hub, where we lead development with support from EnBW, to deliver scale for Europe’s hydrogen needs, with processing at Rostock for core network injection.”
Arcelli further said that these assets are expected to accelerate global decarbonization efforts, bolster energy security, and affirm Saudi Arabia’s role as a key player in the renewable sector.
According to the statement, the ammonia, which will be processed by the cracker under development by VNG, will help Germany to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors while also serving as a strategic entry point into the German market.
Acwa, with the support of EnBW, is currently leading the development of the green hydrogen and ammonia production site in Yanbu in Saudi Arabia, with a planned commercial operation date in 2030.
“By working together with Acwa, Rostock Port, and VNG, we are taking a step toward building a reliable green ammonia corridor from Saudi Arabia to Germany. International partnerships like this are essential if we want to advance and make the transformation of the energy system affordable and bring innovative solutions to market,” said Georg Stamatelopoulos, CEO of EnBW.
EnBW will act as an offtaker of green ammonia from the Yanbu site and manage its commercial and logistical delivery to the Port of Rostock, which will serve as the port operator.
VNG is progressing plans for an ammonia cracker near the port to convert imported green ammonia into green hydrogen for German customers
“By forming this cooperation, we are establishing a strategic, more efficient and forward-thinking framework for securing a long-term supply of green energy and further investment in Germany,” said Jens Scharner, managing director of Rostock Port.
The agreement came as the Kingdom’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Alkhorayef, met with Reiche and discussed ways to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The leaders also explored opportunities to develop investment partnerships in the industrial and mining sectors.
During the meeting, Alkhorayef outlined Saudi Arabia’s potential in the mining sector, which includes the country’s strategic geographical location that connects three continents, advanced infrastructure, competitive energy prices, as well as the presence of advanced industrial cities.
Additional factors that enhance Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness in the mining sector include a business-friendly environment, streamlined government procedures, and a range of enablers and incentives provided by the Kingdom’s industrial and mining ecosystem to support local and international investors.
Attracting international investments in the mining sector also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious goal to secure $100 billion a year in foreign direct investments by the end of this decade.
