Saudi Aramco’s shift to abandon its 13 million bpd capacity target likely to be absorbed by the market

According to Wood Mackenzie’s analysis, for H2 2023, Saudi Arabia’s crude oil production averaged 9 million bpd and this level is projected to continue for H1 2024 with an average of 9.1 million bpd. This will leave Saudi Arabia’s spare crude production capacity at 3 million bpd at present, which is higher than the usual 2 to 2.5 million bpd cushion the Saudis maintain to act as the main swing producer in the global oil market.

“In recent years, Saudi Arabia’s production was being curtailed at varying levels since the pandemic. With the production agreement and voluntary cuts introduced in 2022 – 2023, the need to increase capacity was becoming less pressing,” said Hittle. “With spare capacity higher than usual and a persistent need to reduce production, this is an astute time to abandon the 13 million bpd capacity target.”

Alexandre Araman, Principal Analyst, Upstream for Wood Mackenzie, added that recent cost increases in the industry and pressure on prices likely factored into the decision as well.

“Aramco is heavily investing in a trio of oil megaprojects at Zuluf, Marjan and Berri, along with infill drilling at its legacy fields to slow production declines,” said Araman. “To increase capacity to 13 million bpd, other expansion projects such as Safaniyah and Manifa as well as the commercialisation of new discoveries are more than required. But costs have substantially increased since the pandemic and it makes less sense now for Aramco to go after projects that are getting more expensive when it doesn’t see opportunities to significantly increase production while prices are under pressure.”

Araman added that Aramco is investing in other opportunities besides crude oil, including the development of unconventional gas at the giant Jafurah Basin and the acquisition of a minority stake in MidOcean; in effect swapping additional investment in domestic oil for gas.

“While concentration on domestic oil in the world’s most advantaged basin is clearly a huge positive, increasing exposure to domestic and international gas will add more diversity and boost sustainability,” said Araman.

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