Aramco hikes Arab Light crude November prices for Asian buyers

The state-owned oil giant increased the official selling price of its Arab Light crude by 90 cents, bringing it to $2.20 per barrel above the regional benchmark. File
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Updated 06 October 2024
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Aramco hikes Arab Light crude November prices for Asian buyers

  • Oil giant increased the official selling price of its Arab Light crude by 90 cents
  • Aramco slashed the prices of all grades to Europe and the US

RIYADH: Saudi Aramco has raised its November pricing for Arab Light crude oil for Asian buyers, according to a recent price list.

The state-owned oil giant increased the official selling price of its Arab Light crude by 90 cents, bringing it to $2.20 per barrel above the regional benchmark.

Global oil prices are on the rise amid the growing tensions in the Middle East. Crude prices rocketed around 5 percent on Thursday. Analysts warned that slowing demand in many countries and plentiful supply within and outside OPEC is likely to eventually cap prices.

The oil giant slashed the prices of all grades to Europe and the US.

The Arab Light price differential for buyers in West Europe has been set at $0.45 above the ICE Brent, according to an emailed statement from Aramco.

The price hike aligns with market forecasts of around 45 cents and has driven the medium sour crude price to its highest point this year. On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia confirmed it would maintain its voluntary output reduction of 1 million barrels per day through November and until the end of December 2023.

Saudi Aramco also increased the price of Extra Light crude for Asia by 50 cents in November, bringing it to $3.35 a barrel above Oman/Dubai quotes. This adjustment reflects the rising prices for light sour grades in the spot market, while the OSPs for Arab Medium and Arab Heavy remain unchanged.


Saudi Arabia sees 21% jump in mining sector licenses since 2016

Updated 15 December 2025
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Saudi Arabia sees 21% jump in mining sector licenses since 2016

  • The growth in the Kingdom’s mining sector licenses aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, launched in 2016

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s mining sector has shown sustained growth, with the number of mining licenses increasing from 1,985 in 2016 to 2,401 by the end of 2024, representing cumulative growth of 21 percent, according to the 2024 mineral wealth statistics from the General Authority for Statistics.

The data highlights a steady upward trend in recent years. Licenses rose to 2,100 in 2021, marking a 6 percent increase from the previous year. 

The upward trajectory continued with 2,272 licenses in 2022, 2,365 in 2023, and 2,401 in 2024, reflecting expanding exploration and investment activity across the Kingdom’s mining sector. Building material quarries accounted for the largest share of mining permits, climbing from 1,267 licenses in 2021 to 1,481 by 2024. 

Exploration licenses also recorded consistent growth, supporting the Kingdom’s broader push to develop its mineral resources. 

Other categories of mining activity saw significant expansion, including 2,554 exploration licenses, 744 exploitation licenses, 151 reconnaissance licenses, and 83 surplus mineral ore licenses issued during the same period.

The growth in the Kingdom’s mining sector licenses aligns closely with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, launched in 2016, which aim to diversify national income sources and strengthen non-oil sectors.