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The article reports on the decision by the ministers of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on December 14, 2011 to sustain the current oil output level at 30 million barrels per day (b/d). It presents the report by the International Energy Agency, which showed that the OPEC churned out 30.68 million b/d in November 2011 due to overproduction by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The opinion of Venezuelan oil minister Rafael Ramirez on the developments is also cited.

This article reports on a study on the competition between Iraq and Saudi Arabia on becoming the biggest oil producer. Released by the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University, the study recognized the potential of Iraq to vie for leadership with Saudi Arabia in the world oil industry. However, the study pointed out the difficulty facing the two countries in meeting increasing demand for oil.

The article reports on the possible decline in oil exports of Saudi Arabia over the long term as the Middle Eastern country's own domestic demand is expected to consume more of its production. A report by "Jadwa Investment" noted that the country's domestic consumption of energy is likely to rise rapidly. The report added that the pace of consumption growth has increased from an annual average of 4.8 percent between 2000-2004 to 5.9 percent between 2005-2009.

The article reports on the statement by Mohammad Ali Khatibi, Iran's governor for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, that Iran continues to supply oil to India despite receiving no payment for several months in order to ward off predatory efforts by Saudi Arabia. Under pressure from the U.S., India banks blocked transfers of money to Iran. Khatibi also accused rival exporter Saudi Arabia of trying to get more of the global oil market by reducing its prices and increasing output.

The article discusses the commitment of Great Britain and Saudi Arabia to stabilize the oil market, avoid oil price fluctuations, and prevent overstated expectations. Saudi Arabia's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali I. Al-Naimi and Great Britain's Energy Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne wonder about high oil prices since they believe that there is no shortage of supply. Traders, meanwhile, worry that the unrest in Saudi's Shi'ite community may affect the flow of oil supply.

The article focuses on the dispute of Iran with the international community over nuclear weapons, which has failed to influence the prices of domestic oil. According to Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid, general-manager of the Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV, Iran was hoping that the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and Europe would result to higher oil prices. Al-Rashid also exposed the dispute between Iran and Saudi Arabia over oil production.

In this article, the author ponders on the concerns raised by the implementation of stricter sanctions against Iranian oil. The author pays particular focus on Saudi Arabia's claim that it can meet market demands, as supply reduces because of the sanctions. The insights of Saudi Arabia's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali I. Al-Naimi on oil supply are highlighted.

The article discusses a Deloitte report which projected about 140 billion U.S. dollars investment in the oil and gas industry in 2012 by national oil companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The report notes that majority of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) activity will be given in Saudia Arabia. It adds that contractors will follow their client oil companies in Iraq with contracts over 130 billion U.S. dollars to be awarded.

The article reports on Saudi Arabia's first solar energy plant. Built by Solar Frontier and wholly owned by Showa Shell Sekiyu KK, the newly-launched solar plant on Farasan Island is expected to save some 28,000 billion barrels of diesel over its lifetime. The solar energy project is in line with the Saudi government's efforts to reduce the domestic consumption of fuel fuels, meet the increasing demand for electricity and promote the country as a major hub for exports to Europe.

The author talks about the delegation sent by the U.S. Department of Energy to Saudi Arabia to learn more about Riyadh's plans for nuclear energy. Ileana Ros-Lehtinene, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed surprise at the possible cooperation between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia on nuclear issues. Information on the report "Saudi Arabia: Background and US Relations" released by the U.S. Congressional Research Service in 2010 is also offered.

The article reports that Indian refiners are looking at the possibility of seeking increased crude oil shipments from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to uncertainties over the ability of Iran to provide adequate oil supplies. Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL) attributed the continuing international sanctions imposed on Iran on the uncertainty of oil supply from the country. The debt of India to Iran for unpaid oil is discussed.

The article reports on the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran concerning the volume of oil production, which emerged at the meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on June 8, 2011. The Iranians tried to reverse things, claiming that the Saudis and their allies were the ones politicizing the confab. According to Iran's OPEC Governor Mohammad Ali Khatibi, the countries that supported an output increase aimed to interfere with market forces under U.S. pressure.

The article reports on the plan of Saudi Arabia to boost its oil production to meet rising global demand, especially in China. According to "Al-Hayat" newspaper, the country's oil officials decided to increase production in July 2011 from 9.3 million barrels per day (b/d). The International Energy Agency expects that Asia will consume 900,000 b/d more oil from 2010 to 2011. A report by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on world demand for crude oil is also noted.

The article focuses on the remarks given by Saudi Arabian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali I. Al-Naimi concerning efforts to diversify away from oil into solar energy. The role of the Polish University and King Abdullah University for Science and Technology in the field of sustainability of basic energy has been emphasized by Al-Naimi. It cites the memorandum of understanding signed by Saudi Electricity Co. and Showa Shell Sekiyu for the development of a solar power plant.

The article presents highlights of a discussion on the effect of civil unrest in Saudi Arabia on oil prices addressed by former Saudi Oil Minister Sheikh Yamani during a conference at the Center for Global Energy Studies (CGES) in London, England on April 5, 2011. According to Yamani, civil unrest in the region could push oil prices to reach 300 dollars per barrel (bbl). He admits that Saudi is struggling to provide European refiners with extra volumes of crude oil to replace Libyan production.

The article addresses the ability of Saudi Arabia to produce petroleum products as revolution and political transition continually change the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. A Persian Gulf official dismissed the concerns raised by some analysts over Saudi Arabia's stated spare capacity as the work of speculators trying to manipulate oil prices. The source added that the market is reacting to misinformation, saying they have no problems in reaching their full capacity.

The article discusses the mistrust that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) continues to have as of March 2011. The hostilities in Libya has led to Saudi Arabia's offer to divert their crude oil to Europe in an effort to keep oil prices down. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has assured emergency stockpiles if needed and has coordinated with OPEC for supply despite their oil not being an exact substitute of Libyan's crude and their intent to raise prices.

The article focuses on the efforts of the Saudi Arabian government to explore alternative energy sources. Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali I. Al-Naimi emphasized his country's commitment to the research and commercialization of promising resources, including nuclear energy. This is evident in the establishment of the King Abdullah City of Atomic and Renewable Energy. Al-Naimi also clarified that the country will continue to supply crude oil for the next 80 years.