VIENNA: After years of largely banking on low-cost Russia for growth, OMV is shifting attention toward the Middle East as its chemist chief executive chases his vision of making the Austrian oil and gas group a major supplier of plastics.
OMV boss Rainer Seele has spent more than €4 billion ($4.5 billion) — 40 percent of the group’s M&A budget until 2025 — for oil and gas concessions in the region, a 15 percent stake in Abu Dhabi National Oil Co’s (ADNOC) refining business and a to-be-formed trading joint venture with ADNOC and Italy’s Eni.
“We want to have a fully integrated business model in Abu Dhabi — from the well via the refinery and the petrochemicals all the way to marketing and trade in international markets,” the chief of Austria’s second-largest listed company told shareholders last month.
OMV traditionally earns its money from producing, distributing and refining oil and gas in Europe. A focus on low-cost oil and gas fields in Russia — a source of investor concern due to US and EU sanctions — helped the group get back on its feet financially in recent years and become one of the best cash-flow generators in the sector.
After fixing a price this month for the purchase of Siberian gas assets from Gazprom, OMV has largely achieved its Russian expansion plans.
The Russia-led Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, of which OMV is a financing partner, could face delays. However, OMV’s downside risks are limited to the €950 million it has committed, of which it has paid €644 million so far.
“This is already captured by its discounted valuation relative to its peers,” analysts at Berenberg said in a note.
Seele’s new, Middle East-focused strategy stems from a shift in the environment surrounding OMV’s business model, with challenges created by the politically promoted rise of renewable energy and increased use of electric vehicles.
Consultancy Wood Mackenzie forecasts that demand for oil in developed countries will revert to structural decline next year and drop by about 4 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2035. In contrast, it expects demand in developing economies, mainly in Asia, to increase by nearly 16 million bpd in the same period.
The rise in developing-country demand is seen largely driven by the petrochemicals industry, which uses oil to make the plastics needed for fertilizers, packaging, detergents and clothes, as well as for electric-car parts, solar panels and wind turbines.
This is where Seele gets excited. Refraining from expanding into renewables such as BP and Royal Dutch Shell, the CEO plans to monetise his oil with the expected surge in demand for plastics and also jet fuel, especially in China.
For Seele, the new focus is a journey back to his roots. The 58-year-old German holds a PhD in chemistry and started his career as a chemical research scientist.
He has chosen the United Arab Emirates as a base from which to secure a big piece of the Asian petchem pie, aiming to maximize profit via the entire value chain.
“What I am always preaching is, hey guys, try to think integrated,” he told Reuters when asked why he did not simply buy into China. “I cannot come up with an integrated business model in Asia if I buy into a petchem unit there. It would be an isolated investment.”
The UAE, a strategic investor in OMV since 1994, has aggressive energy ambitions for the coming decade. It is cooperating with international groups including Shell, Germany’s Wintershall DEA and US investment firms KKR and BlackRock to pioneer approaches and technologies.
Last year, the UAE launched a $132 billion capex program to become self-sufficient in gas by 2030 and establish itself as an exporter of petrochemical products. It plans to invest $45 billion alone into the Ruwais complex, which is located 240 km (150 miles) west of Abu Dhabi, to make it the largest integrated refinery/petrochemicals facility in the world.
ADNOC Refining plans to spend $1.9 billion annually, according to its five-year business plan. As OMV holds 15 percent, its share would be €285 million per year.
A cost optimization of Ruwais operations will be followed by investments to enable the use of different feedstocks and the processing of heavier, more sour crude at the site, Seele said in explaining the plans for ADNOC Refining. “We will create a Bordeaux,” said Seele, a connoisseur of red wine. “Right now we are only running with Cabernet Sauvignon in Abu Dhabi and we will add some Merlot.”
One challenge will be to export to Ruwais OMV’s European model of bundling refining and petrochemical production in integrated hubs. “We are transferring our European refineries now from predominantly fuel refineries to jet fuel and petchem units,” Seele said. “That’s the transformation we have in mind (for Ruwais as well).”
To deliver on its goal, OMV is working closely with its subsidiary Borealis, which partly runs the Ruwais refinery via its Borouge joint venture with ADNOC. Seele and Achim Stern, chief executive at Borealis, plan big.
Borouge hopes to give the final go-ahead for the construction of a fourth petrochemical complex at the site next year, Stern told Reuters. He did not disclose the cost of the new complex, but said it would be a “multibillion” decision.
OMV’s purchases of a 20 percent stake in Abu Dhabi’s SARB and Umm Lulu offshore oil concessions and a 5 percent stake in the Ghasha offshore gas and condensate fields from ADNOC were crucial for growth as they secure access to cheap feedstock, Seele said.
OMV also plans to recycle used plastic and convert it into synthetic crude oil at the Abu Dhabi complex. It is testing the patented, so-called ReOil technology at home.
“What we see in the market is a clear signal. If we don’t find a solution to recycle plastics, our polymer business will be negatively impacted,” the CEO said with a view to investors, who want the industry to work harder against climate change. “At the latest, in 2025 we would like to have a commercial plant.”
Analysts have praised OMV’s plans, saying major players in the oil and gas industry may envy the company for the deals with its financially strong shareholder ADNOC. However, risks remain: The emirate’s gas fields have proved challenging to monetise in the past due to high operating costs and artificially low local prices for the fuel.
“New technologies and development plans can improve this, but the fields still remain relatively difficult,” said Robin Mills, chief executive at energy consultancy Qamar Energy in Dubai.
Another challenge is inadequate infrastructure. The pipeline network needs to be extended, Seele says, at the same time indicating a solution is under way. “If you identify a problem, solve it.”
Abu Dhabi ties help OMV pivot to Middle East
Abu Dhabi ties help OMV pivot to Middle East
- OMV is shifting attention toward the Middle East as its chemist chief executive chases his vision of making the Austrian oil and gas group a major supplier of plastics
- OMV boss Rainer Seele has spent more than €4 billion ($4.5 billion) — 40 percent of the group’s M&A budget until 2025 — for oil and gas concessions in the region
Saudi Arabia’s non-oil revenues up by 3% in Q1 of 2024
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s non-oil revenues rose by 3 percent to reach SR111.51 billion ($29.73 billion) in the first quarter of 2024 the final quarter of 2023, the Ministry of Finance said.
In its quarterly budget performance report, the ministry said the Kingdom posted total revenues of SR293.43 billion in the same quarter, while its public spending amounted to SR305.82 billion.
According to official data, total revenues slipped 18 percent as compared to Q4 of 2023.
In the first quarter of the current year, the Kingdom posted a budget deficit of SR12.39 billion with oil revenues reaching SR181.92 billion.
Saudi bank loans increase by 11% in March to hit $712bn, fueled by real estate activities
RIYADH: Saudi banks extended loans worth SR2.67 trillion ($711.5 billion) in March, marking an 11 percent increase as compared to the same month in 2023, according to the latest official data.
Figures released by the Saudi Central Bank, also known as SAMA, showed personal borrowings accounted for 35 percent of this growth, while the remaining 65 percent went to the corporate sector, particularly for real estate activities, as well as electricity, gas, and water supplies.
Real estate financing for corporate dealings specifically surged by 27 percent in the third month of the 2024, marking the highest annual growth rate in 10 months, reaching SR275.2 billion.
A study by Mortor Intelligence, which used 2023 as a base year, estimated the Kingdom’s real estate market at $69.51 billion in 2024, and expects it to reach $101.62 billion by 2029, growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 8 percent between 2024 and 2029.
The surge in real estate and construction endeavors may have heightened the need for debt-based financing primarily sourced from the local banking sector. Saudi banks play a central role in the provision of loans for real estate projects.
According to SAMA data, new retail residential mortgage loans experienced a notable increase, reaching a 14-month high at SR7.63 billion in March. This marked a 5 percent rise compared to the amount granted in the same month last year and a 10 percent increase from the previous month.
In March, lending for home purchases accounted for the largest portion, comprising 64 percent of new mortgages to individuals, totaling SR4.91 billion. The most notable growth, however, was observed in apartment loans, surging by 28 percent to reach SR2.24 billion. Meanwhile, land loans experienced a more modest growth of 4 percent, reaching SR474 million in new mortgages.
One factor contributing to this growth could be the need for residential properties from expatriates arriving in the Kingdom, along with government initiatives aimed at modernizing the financial system.
In a March study by Knight Frank, a notable trend emerged among expatriates, with 68 percent expressing a strong preference for owning an apartment rather than a villa. This inclination was especially prominent among individuals aged 35-45 and 45-55.
Growth in lending for electricity, gas and water supplies came as the second contributor in corporate loans after real estate, registering an annual rise of 27 percent to reach SR147.42 billion in March.
According to an April report by Global Data, the key sectors in the Saudi Arabia power market are the residential sector, commercial sector, industrial sector, and others. In 2023, the residential sector had the dominant share in the power consumption market.
The American International Trade Administration also stated in a January report that Saudi Arabia has experienced rapid economic and population growth since the discovery of oil. The population is projected to increase to 40.1 million by 2030.
Due to limited water resources, the country continues to invest in desalination facilities to meet rising water demands, aiming to deliver 2.18 billion cubic meters per year of desalinated water.
The Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture has allocated $80 billion for water projects, with the wastewater treatment services market also expanding steadily according to the report. In 2021, Saudi Arabia built 133 wastewater treatment facilities, marking a 14.66 percent increase from the previous year.
SAMA data also revealed that financing for professional, scientific, and technical activities soared by 54 percent, hitting SR6.4 billion, marking the highest annual growth rate among sectors.
Education loans also showed robust growth, with an annual increase of 28 percent to reach SR6.27 billion. Additionally, financing for administrative and support service activities rose by 20 percent, totaling around SR34.22 billion.
While the proportion of lending allocated to the scientific and education sectors may currently be modest, the Saudi government acknowledges their pivotal significance in driving the Kingdom’s comprehensive transformation agenda.
Recognizing the paramount importance of innovation and fostering a culture of scientific inquiry, the government has implemented diverse initiatives aimed at nurturing these sectors.
These efforts are believed to have played a part in the gradual increase in lending support extended to these sectors by financial institutions. As the Kingdom continues to prioritize knowledge-based industries and endeavors, further advancements and investments in these areas are anticipated to amplify, propelling the nation towards its ambitious developmental goals.
Saudi Arabia’s car imports surge to 160k over last 2 years: official figures
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s car imports in 2023 hit 93,199, utilizing all modes of transportation — land, sea, and air — reflecting nearly a 40 percent growth from the previous year.
In the last two years, the Kingdom has imported a total of over 160,000 cars, with 66,870 imports recorded in 2022 alone, according to Hamoud Al-Harbi, the spokesperson for the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority, reported Saudi Press Agency.
This positions Saudi Arabia as one of the largest markets globally for automobiles, accounting for more than half of the car sales in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and ranking among the top 20 markets worldwide.
According to the authority’s spokesperson, cars were primarily imported from Japan, India, South Korea, the US, and Thailand to the Kingdom during the past two years.
Wael Al-Dhayyab, the official spokesperson for the Saudi Standards, Metrology, and Quality Organization, underscored the rigorous efforts undertaken by the Vehicle Inspection Unit in 2023. They inspected 60,473 vehicles to uphold the highest technical and safety standards.
Concurrently, 18,150 energy efficiency certificates were issued for tire products, highlighting SASO’s commitment to ensuring tire quality and safety in the Saudi market.
Al-Dhayyab emphasized that these endeavors demonstrate the organization’s dedication to enforcing stringent standards, fostering tire quality, and safety.
Moreover, he stressed the body’s pivotal role in advancing energy efficiency and endorsing initiatives aimed at enhancing product safety and economic growth.
Additionally, Al-Dhayyab noted a significant milestone in 2023, with SASO awarding 172 conformity certificates for electric vehicles, witnessing a 465 percent surge from the previous year.
This emphasizes the organization’s crucial role in facilitating the shift toward sustainable energy adoption.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the body issued 1,505 fuel efficiency cards for new light vehicles, indicating its commitment to promoting eco-friendly transportation solutions.
The surge in the import of motor vehicles led to Saudi banks witnessing a 7.67 percent increase in letters of credit to the private sector in the first 11 months of 2023, compared to the same period the previous year.
The data, released by the Saudi Central Bank, revealed that settled LCs and received bills to this sector hit SR155.19 billion ($41.38 billion).
LCs, a financial document issued by a bank, guarantee payment to the seller upon fulfilling specified conditions in a trade transaction.
The growth is primarily attributed to an upsurge in the import of motor vehicles, accounting for around 75 percent of the overall increase.
The import value in this category reached SR39.7 billion, marking a 26.29 percent increase, the data showed.
UAE’s Mubadala Capital plans $13.5bn investment in Brazil’s biofuel sector
RIYADH: Brazil’s biofuel market is set for substantial growth as UAE’s Mubadala Capital has committed to invest $13.5 billion over the next decade.
Oscar Fahlgren, head of Brazil strategy at the sovereign wealth fund, disclosed the budget for the initiative during an interview with the Financial Times. He divulged the details of the fund’s plans to produce renewable diesel and sustainable aviation kerosene primarily utilizing non-food plant matter.
In his interview with the newspaper, Fahlgren said Mubadala’s Brazilian subsidiary, Acelen, will initiate the development of a large-scale biofuel project by 2026.
The fund’s executive stated that the funds will be sourced through a blend of equity and debt over a span of five to 10 years.
The endeavor will encompass five modules, each valued at $2.7 billion, housing a new biorefinery capable of processing 20,000 barrels of fuel per day. Additionally, it will include the necessary infrastructure and cultivated acreage to sustain the input crop.
“It’s all about feedstock (which) in reality is agriculture. And Brazil is probably the best-placed country on the planet when it comes to agricultural proficiency because of the climate and the fertile soil,” said Fahlgren, adding, “Brazil is to agriculture what Abu Dhabi is to oil.”
The project will also include the conversion of an existing oil refinery in the northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia acquired from government-owned Petrobras in 2021.
“It’s a very important capital project,” Fahlgren said. “I see tremendous opportunity to invest in the green energy transition space in Brazil,” he added.
Mubadala’s venture into bioenergy will leverage its existing $6 billion investments in the country, constituting approximately a quarter of the group’s global portfolio.
“We’ve been very active investing in Brazil, for the past 10-plus years, in an environment where most foreign investors have been shying away,” Fahlgren said.
Mubadala also plans to open a stock exchange in Brazil next year through its Americas Trading Group.
“Brazil is a very large country. It has only one stock exchange. And I think that’s suboptimal infrastructure for the players that operate in this segment,” said Fahlgren.
“It will probably be a staged launch — perhaps start with equities, then expand. No asset classes are off the table.”
The asset management arm of the Emirati sovereign wealth fund is increasing its bets on Latin America’s largest economy, where its holdings span metro lines and medical universities to a majority stake in the local owner of the Burger King brand.
“We’re very bullish on the investment climate in Brazil right now and the opportunities we see,” said Fahlgren. “We do have a number of assets that are relatively mature today, and could be potential exit candidates in the not-too-distant future,” he added.
Eastern Province showcases environmental opportunities during investment forum
RIYADH: Investors eyeing environmental opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province stand to benefit from a forum held on May 5, amidst efforts to preserve natural resources.
Organized by the Eastern Chamber under the theme “Restoration and Sustainability,” the Environmental Investment Forum 2024 aims to underscore the importance of ecological preservation.
The event, patronized by Prince Saud bin Naif, Gov. of the region, also delves into the effects of environmental regulations and legislation on the business sector, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Badr bin Suleiman Al-Ruzaiza, chairman of the regional chamber, emphasized the importance of environmental protection within the framework of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
He stressed that the country’s ambitious plan views environmental stewardship not only as a religious and ethical imperative but also as a humanitarian duty.
Al-Ruzaiza elaborated that Vision 2030 aims to reduce pollution by improving waste management efficiency across diverse sectors. He underscored the Kingdom’s proactive approach in addressing environmental issues domestically and globally.
The chairman emphasized the paramount significance of the environmental sector in conserving renewable natural resources.
He stressed its pivotal role in laying the essential groundwork for achieving holistic and sustainable growth, ensuring food security, and improving overall quality of life.
He stated that the forum seeks to shed light on the importance of the environment and ways to preserve it, addressing the impact of environmental regulations and legislation on business sectors.
Additionally, it aims to review investment opportunities for businesses in the environmental sector, as well as available financing channels for projects in this vital sector. This represents environmental investment as a key driver and effective element in achieving sustainable development.
Al-Ruzaiza clarified that the forum supports environmental protection practices, presents experiences and solutions, and aims to expand knowledge about investment opportunities related to sustainability. It also focuses on methods for addressing them and implementing associated mechanisms.
He also highlighted the array of sustainability initiatives and programs initiated by the Kingdom to foster green investments across various sectors. Furthermore, he emphasized the nation’s objective of increasing its reliance on clean energy sources, aiming to achieve 50 percent of total energy consumption by 2030.
He also noted the country’s determination to double its spending on investment and financing projects that operate in areas supporting sustainability.
The forum comes against the backdrop of the Eastern Province’s municipality recently unveiling a range of diverse investment opportunities, both permanent and temporary, across cities and governorates in the region.
The municipality had cataloged over 20,000 investment assets covering an area exceeding 116 million sq. m., serving as a database for significant growth in the region, as reported by SPA in March.
These encompass the development of waterfronts, plots, and infrastructure, as well as transportation, markets, and advertising billboards.
Additionally, opportunities for recreational and tourist centers are available. These also cover sports activities, factories, and exhibitions, along with warehouses, workers’ housing, and various tourist and commercial investment sites.
