QatarEnergy picks up stakes from Exxon in Canadian offshore blocks

QatarEnergy picks up stakes from Exxon in Canadian offshore blocks
QatarEnergy has in recent years picked up exploration blocks in basins including Guyana, Namibia, South Africa and Cyprus. (Shutterstock)
Short Url
Updated 30 March 2023

QatarEnergy picks up stakes from Exxon in Canadian offshore blocks

QatarEnergy picks up stakes from Exxon in Canadian offshore blocks

DOHA: Qatar's state-owned energy company on Wednesday signed a deal to acquire from ExxonMobil stakes in two Canadian offshore explorations block, the latest in the Gulf state's efforts to expand its global oil and gas portfolio.

QatarEnergy, the world's largest producer of liquefied natural gas, has in recent years entered some of the most promising oil and gas basins through deals with top Western companies eager to secure stakes in Qatar's LNG industry.

As part of its quest to diversify internationally, QatarEnergy has in recent years picked up exploration blocks in basins including Guyana, Namibia, South Africa and Cyprus from companies including TotalEnergies, Shell and Exxon.

More recently it joined TotalEnergies and Italy's Eni in a three-way consortium to explore oil and gas in two maritime blocks off the coast of Lebanon. It is also in discussions to enter a large project in Iraq with TotalEnergies, Reuters reported.

The Qatari company first entered offshore exploration in Canada in 2021 with a 40 percent stake in ExxonMobil's license for EL 1165A off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The latest farm-in agreement announced on Wednesday gives QatarEnergy a 28 percent interest in license EL 1167, with ExxonMobil Canada holding 50 percent and Cenovus Energy 22 percent, as well as 40 percent in license EL 1162, with ExxonMobil Canada holding 60 percent.

"We are pleased to sign this agreement with our strategic partner, ExxonMobil, to further grow our offshore Atlantic Canada portfolio as part of our international growth drive," QatarEnergy CEO Saad Al-Kaabi said in a statement.

For the Western companies, awarding QatarEnergy stakes in lucrative prospects is part of a wider quest to tighten ties with the company in an effort to secure a share in the Gulf country's sprawling LNG operations.

New natural gas sources

Demand for natural gas is expected to rise in the coming decades as countries shift away from the more polluting coal to generate electricity.

Europe's efforts to find new sources of natural gas to replace supplies from Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 further strengthened the outlook for LNG demand.

Qatar last year picked Exxon, TotalEnergies, Shell, Eni and ConocoPhillips as partners in a $30 billion expansion of its LNG production, known as North Field East. It also awarded stakes in a second expansion phase, known as North Field South later last year.

Qatar is the world's largest LNG supplier and aims to expand production to 126 million tonnes annually by 2027 from 77 million tonnes under the two-phase North Field expansion project.


Closing bell: Saudi bourses stay steady for the 3rd consecutive day  

Closing bell: Saudi bourses stay steady for the 3rd consecutive day  
Updated 16 sec ago

Closing bell: Saudi bourses stay steady for the 3rd consecutive day  

Closing bell: Saudi bourses stay steady for the 3rd consecutive day  

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index remained steady for the third consecutive day, as it edged up 23.28 points, or 0.21 percent, to close at 11,316.87 on Tuesday.  

While parallel market Nomu gained 112.78 points to reach 21,428.78, the MSCI Tadawul Index went up 0.05 percent to close at 1,497.65.  

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.69 billion ($1.78 billion) as 104 listed stocks advanced, while 106 retreated.  

The best-performing stock on the day was Abdullah Al Othaim Markets Co., whose share price surged 8.19 percent to SR14.80.  

The Power and Water Utility Co. for Jubail, and Yanbu and Aldrees Petroleum and Transport Services Co. were the other top gainers, as their share prices soared 7.07 percent and 6.96 percent, respectively.  

Tihama Advertising and Public Relations Co. was the worst performer with its share price dropping 2.52 percent to SR19.36.  

On the announcements front, Saudi Arabia’s Capital Markets Authority approved the public listing of Fad International Co., Atlas Elevators General Trading & Contracting Co., Clean Life Co., and Riyal Investment & Development Co. on Nomu.  

According to bourse filings, Riyal Investment and Clean Life will offer 720,000 and 300,000 shares, representing 9 percent and 20 percent of their capital, respectively.  

On the other hand, Fad International and Atlas Elevators will float 240,000 and 1.2 million shares, accounting for 20 percent of each of their capital.  

Meanwhile, CMA issued a resolution to approve Al-Rajhi Co. for Cooperative Insurance’s request to increase its capital from SR400 million to SR1 billion by giving 1.5 bonus shares for every existing share owned by the shareholders. Its share price edged up 0.98 percent to SR123.60.  

The authority also approved a request by Takween Advanced Industries Co. to reduce its capital from SR950 million to SR464.65 million.   

According to a statement to Tadawul, the move will bring down the company’s number of shares to 46.464 million from 95 million. Its share price edged up 1.42 percent to SR10. 


Saudi real estate fund signs deals worth $3.64bn to boost housing market   

Saudi real estate fund signs deals worth $3.64bn to boost housing market   
Updated 11 min 3 sec ago

Saudi real estate fund signs deals worth $3.64bn to boost housing market   

Saudi real estate fund signs deals worth $3.64bn to boost housing market   

RIYADH: Aiming to boost Saudi Arabia’s housing market, the Kingdom’s Real Estate Development Fund inked finance agreements worth SR13.7 billion ($3.64 billion) in the first quarter of 2023.   

The deals sought to offer housing benefits to 21,000 citizens during the first quarter, according to the National Development Fund’s quarterly report. 

Such agreements are in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy that aims to provide adequate and affordable housing opportunities for Saudi families.   

The fund also deposited over SR2.7 billion into the accounts of Sakani beneficiaries during the first quarter of 2023, the report said.   

The Sakani program was launched in 2017 by REDF to facilitate home ownership in the Kingdom by developing new housing stock, allocating plots and homes to nationals and financing their purchase.   

Furthermore, the fund’s real estate advisor service recorded over 36,000 recommendations for housing and financing during the first quarter, in addition to approximately 53,000 new beneficiaries, showed the report.   

Saudi Arabia’s NDF provided over SR30 billion funding support in the first quarter of 2023, according to the report.   

The funding was allocated through a number of cooperation agreements and financing support for various economic sectors with an aim to achieve the social, economic and cultural goals envisioned in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.    

This comes after the fund approved over SR135 billion in financing support for 2022, its annual report released in January showed.     

Additionally, the Saudi Industrial Development Fund approved financing agreements valued at SR875 million with 24 businesses to support the objectives of the National Strategy for Industry.    

Various achievements, agreements and new initiatives that helped in maximizing the developmental impact on the Saudi economy were also highlighted in the report.   

In May, the Kingdom’s housing market got a fresh stream of liquidity, with Saudi Real Estate Refinance Co. announcing SR3.5 billion in sukuk issuances.  

The latest issuance of SRC, owned by the Public Investment Fund, marked the sixth tranche under its upsized SR20 billion sukuk program. 

The real estate finance company will keep boosting market liquidity and assisting lenders and investors, which will stabilize the Saudi mortgage market, stated SRC CEO Fabrice Susini. 

Furthermore, this move will also speed up the rise of homeownership in the country, he added.   

“The positive response from investors to SRC’s latest sukuk issuance is a clear testament to the strength of the Kingdom’s housing market and economy,” Susini said. 


Egypt’s foreign reserves rise by $110m in May  

Egypt’s foreign reserves rise by $110m in May  
Updated 21 min 17 sec ago

Egypt’s foreign reserves rise by $110m in May  

Egypt’s foreign reserves rise by $110m in May  

RIYADH: Egypt’s foreign reserves saw a month-on-month increase in May of around $110 million to hit $34.66 billion, the latest data from the Central Bank of Egypt showed. 

After the economic breakdown following the Ukraine-Russia war, Egypt’s net international reserves dropped from a high of $40.9 billion in February 2022 to a record low of $33.14 billion in August of that year.   

However, the North African country’s NIR gradually increased in the past nine months.   

According to the central bank, Egypt’s international reserves comprise approximately $26.7 billion in foreign currencies, $7.95 billion in gold and $27 million in special drawing rights.   

The International Monetary Fund defines the SDR as an international reserve asset created to supplement the official reserves of its member countries. 

The IMF is currently assessing Egypt’s economic environment to release the second installment of a $3 billion loan approved in December 2022.   

According to data announced by the country’s central bank last month, Egypt’s net foreign assets deficit increased by $1.66 billion to $24.42 billion in March 2023 from 22.76 billion in February.   

Egypt’s current account deficit also dropped 77.2 percent to $1.8 billion in the first half of its fiscal year.   

The financial institution revealed this deficit reduction was fueled by Egypt’s current account turning a $1.41 billion surplus in the October to December quarter of 2022 as imports dropped and exports rose. 

This shift came after the country saw a $3.19 billion deficit between July and September — the first quarter of Egypt’s fiscal year. 

During most of 2022, import restrictions were in place to tackle the country’s current account shortfall.


KAPSARC bags key UN Environment Program role

KAPSARC bags key UN Environment Program role
Updated 48 min 59 sec ago

KAPSARC bags key UN Environment Program role

KAPSARC bags key UN Environment Program role

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will soon become an active partner in global ecological governance after the UN granted the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center a key role in its environmental activities. 

According to a KAPSARC press note, the think tank will now be able participate in global energy, climate and environment dialogues, as well as adopt an observer status, after being handed a place in the UN Environment Program.

Building on its accreditation by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, KAPSARC’s new status will enable it to deliver evidence-based reporting and policy recommendations, particularly in this crucial phase of climate change conversations. 

Brian Efird, director of strategic partnerships at KAPSARC, highlighted that this accreditation grants the center “the privilege of receiving unedited working documents of the UN Environment Assembly at the same time as the Committee of the Permanent Representatives.” 

He added: “Moreover, KAPSARC gains the ability to submit written contributions, actively participate in official UNEA meetings, and make valuable oral and written contributions during these sessions.” 

KAPSARC has already embraced its commitment to the UNEP by participating in the second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee in Paris from May 29 to June 2. 

The discussion focused on developing an international framework to address plastic pollution. 

During the conference, KAPSARC played a significant part in the discussions, contributing expertise and insights to help shape effective global strategies and policies in the area.

KAPSARC highlighted the value of a circular plastic economy, including reduction, reuse, recycling and removal strategies. The center expressed support for technologies that can contribute to these goals. 


Top Saudi banks maintain profitability in Q1 despite global headwinds: Alvarez & Marsal

Top Saudi banks maintain profitability in Q1 despite global headwinds: Alvarez & Marsal
Updated 06 June 2023

Top Saudi banks maintain profitability in Q1 despite global headwinds: Alvarez & Marsal

Top Saudi banks maintain profitability in Q1 despite global headwinds: Alvarez & Marsal

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s top banks have continued to register steady earnings growth while maintaining profitability despite global headwinds amid rising interest rates, according to global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal.

The analysis by the New York-headquartered company revealed the Kingdom’s leading 10 banks collectively recorded 2.7 percent quarter-on-quarter growth in net profits during the first three months of the year to hit SR17.3 billion ($4.61 billion).

The report noted that the boost in profitability was driven by significant growth in non-core income and a rise in cost efficiencies.  

The Saudi banks managed to enhance and maintain the return on equity well above the pre-pandemic levels as their aggregate RoE increased by 67 basis points to 15.2 percent in the first quarter against the previous three months. 

Their return on assets remained stable at 2 percent, with average total assets growing by 3.7 percent during the same period, the report noted. 

“We consider the Saudi banks’ capital position to be strong. Profitability for the quarter marginally improved due to an increase in operating income, mainly owing to a growth in non-core income which was further supported by higher impairments,” said Asad Ahmed, managing director and head of Middle East financial services at Alvarez & Marsal, in a statement. 

He noted the higher interest rate environment is causing customers to migrate to interest-bearing instruments that could likely affect the cost of funding for some banks in the coming months.  

“Looking ahead, we expect banks to face a slowdown in credit growth and a possible uptick in non-performing loans due to the higher interest rate environment. Saudi Central Bank has maintained its interest rates in line with the US Federal Reserve, and we expect this to continue,” added Ahmed.  

The report further revealed that Saudi banks recorded a 4.7 percent growth in deposits and a 3.2 percent rise in loans and advances. 

Highlighting the growth of the private sector in the Kingdom, the analysis found that retail loans and corporate loans witnessed a quarter-on-quarter growth of 2 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively.  

The report further pointed out that the net interest margin of these top banks in Saudi Arabia during the first quarter remained stable at 3.08 percent, although it is slightly down from the 3.15 percent recorded in the previous three-month period.  

Saudi Arabia’s top 10 listed banks analyzed in the report include Saudi National Bank, Al Rajhi Bank, and Riyad Bank, as well as Saudi British Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi, and Arab National Bank.  

The other banks examined by Alvarez & Marsal were Alinma Bank, Bank Albilad, Saudi Investment Bank, and Bank Aljazira. 

The analysis looked at these banks’ key performance areas, including size, liquidity, income, operating efficiency, risk, profitability, and capital.