Tuesday 23 April 2024
 
»
 
»
INTERVIEW

Overseas output hike 'to hit Saudi 2013 income'

Riyadh, December 30, 2012

Production hikes by other oil producers will weigh on energy prices in 2013, potentially cutting into Saudi Arabia's fiscal surplus, Finance Minister Ibrahim Alassaf said on Sunday in a television interview.

The world's top oil exporter said on Saturday that it ran a budget surplus of SR387 billion ($103.2 billion) in 2012 as high energy prices and strong output levels generated revenue of SR1.24 trillion.

For next year it has conservatively budgeted spending of SR820 billion and income of SR829 billion, although based on recent fiscal performance both figures are likely to be a lot higher.

"The results of this year are exceptional... The international conditions and the increase in production by some states (in 2013) will have negative effects on prices, that's why we're being conservative," Alassaf said on Al-Arabiya television.

Saudi Arabia has maintained high production in the past two years to help avert oil price spikes. However, new output from fellow-Opec member Iraq and from projects in North America, may drag on crude prices and lead Riyadh to cut production.

While next year's budget plan envisages revenue of SR829 billion, if oil prices stay above $100 a barrel, the actual 2013 surplus will be far larger.

The 2012 budget had forecast this year's revenue at SR702 billion, only 57 per cent of the estimated actual income.

Monica Malik, an independent economist at investment bank EFG-Hermes, estimated the 2013 budget implied an oil price of around $64 to $67 a barrel and average oil output of around 9.5 million barrels a day.

In November, Saudi Arabia produced 9.90 million barrels a day, a Reuters survey showed. - Reuters




Tags: Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | income | Oil output |

More Analysis, Interviews, Opinions Stories

calendarCalendar of Events

Ads