new base special 05 november 2014

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Copyright © 2014 NewBase www.hawkenergy.net Edited by Khaled Al Awadi – Energy Consultant All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, redistributed, or otherwise copied without the written permission of the authors. This includes internal distribution. All reasonable endeavours have been used to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, no warranty is given to the accuracy of its content . Page 1 NewBase 05 November 2014 Khaled Al Awadi NewBase For discussion or further details on the news below you may contact us on +971504822502 , Dubai , UAE SABIC the only Mideast firm on 2014 Global Innovation 1000 list SaudiGazette + NewBase Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) is the only company in the Middle East to make it into the Global Innovation 1000 list this year. SABIC ranked 272 out of the 1,000-strong list of innovative companies. The company’s ranking this year is an improvement over last year’s 304th position. Total R&D spend by SABIC in 2014 was $440 million, a 19 percent increase from $371 million in 2013. SABIC’s average R&D intensity increased from 0.7 percent in 2013 to 0.9 percent in 2014. The tenth annual Global Innovation 1000 Study, which analyzes the R&D investment at the 1,000 biggest-spending public companies in the world, found although R&D spending at large companies rose to its highest level ever in 2014, the rate of growth was the second lowest in a decade. The new study from Strategy&, formerly Booz & Company, said R&D spending rose by only 1.4 percent last year – a more modest increase than the 3.8 percent rise the year before and a marked drop from the 10-year average growth rate of 5.5 percent. R&D spending as a percentage of revenue fell by 17 percent between 2005 and 2014. “Companies say they’re better at innovating today than they were a decade ago,” said Barry Jaruzelski, senior partner at Strategy& and a co-author of the report. “It seems that companies can now do more with less, allowing them to moderate spending growth while still achieving results.” “The decrease in R&D spending growth and intensity may indicate that companies have realized more spending doesn’t always produce better results, or that innovation leaders are making progress in leveraging their R&D investments into greater financial performance,” said Georges Chehade, Partner with Strategy&. The software and Internet industry generated the most rapid growth, 17 percent, in R&D spending in 2014. However, despite the industry’s ongoing increase in spending, software and Internet

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Copyright © 2014 NewBase www.hawkenergy.net Edited by Khaled Al Awadi – Energy Consultant All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

redistributed, or otherwise copied without the written permission of the authors. This includes internal distribution. All reasonable endeavours have been used to ensure the accuracy of the information contained

in this publication. However, no warranty is given to the accuracy of its content . Page 1

NewBase 05 November 2014 Khaled Al Awadi

NewBase For discussion or further details on the news below you may contact us on +971504822502 , Dubai , UAE

SABIC the only Mideast firm on 2014 Global Innovation 1000 list SaudiGazette + NewBase

Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) is the only company in the Middle East to make it into the Global Innovation 1000 list this year. SABIC ranked 272 out of the 1,000-strong list of innovative companies. The company’s ranking this year is an improvement over last year’s 304th position. Total R&D spend by SABIC in 2014 was $440 million, a 19 percent increase from $371 million in 2013. SABIC’s average R&D intensity increased from 0.7 percent in 2013 to 0.9 percent in 2014.

The tenth annual Global Innovation 1000 Study, which analyzes the R&D investment at the 1,000 biggest-spending public companies in the world, found although R&D spending at large companies rose to its highest level ever in 2014, the rate of growth was the second lowest in a decade. The new study from Strategy&, formerly Booz & Company, said R&D spending rose by only 1.4 percent last year – a more modest increase than the 3.8 percent rise the year before and a marked drop

from the 10-year average growth rate of 5.5 percent. R&D spending as a percentage of revenue fell by 17 percent between 2005 and 2014. “Companies say they’re better at innovating today than they were a decade ago,” said Barry Jaruzelski, senior partner at Strategy& and a co-author of the report. “It seems that companies can now do more with less, allowing them to moderate spending growth while still achieving results.”

“The decrease in R&D spending growth and intensity may indicate that companies have realized more spending doesn’t always produce better results, or that innovation leaders are making progress in leveraging their R&D investments into greater financial performance,” said Georges Chehade, Partner with Strategy&. The software and Internet industry generated the most rapid growth, 17 percent, in R&D spending in 2014. However, despite the industry’s ongoing increase in spending, software and Internet

Copyright © 2014 NewBase www.hawkenergy.net Edited by Khaled Al Awadi – Energy Consultant All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

redistributed, or otherwise copied without the written permission of the authors. This includes internal distribution. All reasonable endeavours have been used to ensure the accuracy of the information contained

in this publication. However, no warranty is given to the accuracy of its content . Page 2

companies still accounted for just 9 percent of total corporate R&D spending in 2014. Meanwhile, the computing & electronics and healthcare industries accounted together for 50 percent of total innovation spending over the same period – though in 2014, those industries’ R&D spending dropped by 1.8 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively. “It is striking that half the industries in the study saw a decline in R&D spending growth. Among them were two of the largest industries within the Global Innovation 1000, computing & electronics and healthcare. And yet, significant investments by smaller industries like software and Internet were large enough to compensate and even drive an overall positive R&D spending growth,” said Jaruzelski.

Companies headquartered in China generated a 46 percent increase in R&D spending last year, while North American and European companies increased spending by only 3.4 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively, and Japanese companies spent 14 percent less. Furthermore, the number of Chinese companies represented in the Global Innovation 1000 rose from only eight in 2005 to 114 in 2014 – an increase of 1,325 percent. Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung top the list of the 10 Most Innovative companies in 2014 as

identified by survey respondents. Among the full list, only three – Google, Samsung and Microsoft – are also on the Top 10 R&D Spenders list. In fact, over the past ten years only Microsoft has been among the Top 10 R&D Spenders and Top 10 Most Innovative companies each year. And although four of the Top 10 R&D Spenders in 2014 were healthcare companies, not a single healthcare company were voted among the 10 Most Innovative as identified by survey respondents. “For the 10th year, our research demonstrates that there’s no correlation between how much you spend on innovation and how well you perform,” said Chehade. “You can’t just buy your way to the top.”

“What many highly innovative companies have in common is not a high level of R&D spending, but an understanding of end-users’ wants and needs,” adds Jaruzelski. “Instead of depending on market research, these companies intimate connections with customers and innovate around their yet-to-be-articulated needs.” More than three-quarters of innovation leaders (76 percent) said that they are better at innovation today than they were 10 years ago, according to a survey of over 500 innovation leaders across nearly 500 companies. And about the same number (78 percent) believes they have developed a more detailed understanding of their customers’ wants and needs over the past decade. “Despite this strong sense of improvement, most surveyed innovation leaders believe they have room to grow. Only 41 percent say their companies are highly proficient in the innovation areas that they have tried to improve in the past, and just 27 percent believe they are mastering the elements they will need for innovation success over the next 10 years,” Chehade noted.

Copyright © 2014 NewBase www.hawkenergy.net Edited by Khaled Al Awadi – Energy Consultant All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

redistributed, or otherwise copied without the written permission of the authors. This includes internal distribution. All reasonable endeavours have been used to ensure the accuracy of the information contained

in this publication. However, no warranty is given to the accuracy of its content . Page 3

Oman's PDO unveils new oil well training centre BYSALEH AL-SHAIBANY Oman Times

State-run Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) on Tuesday inaugurated New Wells LearningCentre with the aim of sustaining production and improving efficiency of oil output. The centre, ajoint venture between PDO and Shell, officially was opened at PDO's Mina Al Fahal headquarters

by Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, the Ministerof Oil and Gas with the objectives of trainingexperienced wells professionals and new recruits.

"This is an example of Shell's long-standingpartnership with Oman and with PDO in particular.The world class training centre will further enhancewell engineering in Oman and produce highly skilledOmani well engineers, who will not only help thesustainable and efficient development of Oman's oil

and gas resources but will also be highly competitive internationally," said Chris Breeze, ShellOman Country Chairman

PDO currently produces roughly about 550,000 barrels per day of crude oil but said earlier thisyear it is not planning to boost production but keep the output stable. The new wells trainingfacility will enhance PDO's production plans and boost safety in oilfields. It will also giveopportunities to Omani engineers to increase their level of expertise in oil well management andovercome the challenges of extracting difficult oil from the ground

"Since the Gulf of Mexico disaster in 2010, it has become an industry requirement to introduceWell Operation Crew Resource Management training to test the ability of crews and individuals towork together under pressure and this facility will enable us to do this," added PDO Learning andDevelopment Manager Hamed Al Hadhrami

The Sultanate's national oil company has recorded an average production of 1.25 million barrelsof oil equivalent per day in 2013 and added 317 million barrels of oil reserves. Also, the totalnatural gas-developed reserves increased by 1.3 trillion cubic feet last year

The company is heavily spending on Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) programme to make up forthe dwindling oil production. PDO's productions in 2013 came from four major EOR developmentsat Marmul, Qarn Alam and Harweel

In addition, the company has EOR pilots at Fahud, Lekhwair,Nimr, Al Noor, Marmul, Amin and Ghubar. One of its biggestsuccess stories is the polymer project in Marmul which hasreached the milestone of one million cubic metres (6.3 millionbarrels) of incremental oil recovery end of last year.

Copyright © 2014 NewBase www.hawkenergy.net Edited by Khaled Al Awadi – Energy Consultant All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

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Total suggests solution for greenhouse gas emission Source Gulf News + NewsBase

Energy major Total recently presented a practical solution for reducing the emission of greenhouse gas, as a part of a climate change panel session held in Doha. The presentation was delivered by Dominique Copin, an expert on sustainable development at Total, during his attendance of the 7th SPE Middle East Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainable Development Conference & Exhibition (ME HSE).

Chalmin: Keen on promoting clean energy. Copin with Mohamed Basser, HSE manager at Total in Qatar. As part of the environmental pillar of Qatar National Vision 2030, Qatar has taken a sustainable approach to addressing the critical issue of global climate change. It has made voluntary efforts and plans to contain the national greenhouse gas emissions, as mentioned in its Initial National Communication (INC) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The release of greenhouses gases into the atmosphere is a serious problem, with substantial impacts on human health, ecology, environment and resources. This phenomenon has led to a rise in the global average annual temperatures, which in turn has affected the lives and economies of many nations. In his presentation, Dominique Copin addressed sensitive issues such as the impact of our energy industry on greenhouse gas emission. He insisted that the switch from coal to gas can contribute significantly to the reduction of carbon dioxide emission, particularly when applied to power generation. In addition, by making this switch, less storage capacities will be needed. This might be of importance in areas where carbon dioxide storage capacities are not enough to cope with its emissions.

His idea was backed by ‘Total Lacq’, a research & development project initiated in 2010 in Pau, France. Total Lacq demonstrates the technical feasibility of an integrated onshore Carbon Capture and Storage for stream production on an industrial scale. Following the success of the pilot, the project is being placed in a surveillance period ending 2016. Total has taken a stand to play an active role to cut carbon pollution and greenhouse gases, in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

“We are committed to promoting clean energy, and enhancing energy efficiency”, said Guillaume Chalmin, Total E&P Qatar managing director and group representative. “Total’s investment in solar energy has reasserted our responsibility as energy major to combat climate change”. Total has had a continuous presence in Qatar for close to 80 years, and is the only international oil company active in all branches of Qatar’s oil and gas sector. This includes exploration and production, refining and petrochemicals, and the marketing of lubricants.

Copyright © 2014 NewBase www.hawkenergy.net Edited by Khaled Al Awadi – Energy Consultant All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

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in this publication. However, no warranty is given to the accuracy of its content . Page 5

BP Egypt to invest $240m in new exploration blocks TradeArabia News Service+ NewBase

BP Egypt has won two new exploration blocks as a result of the 2013 EGAS bid round, where the company and its partners have committed to invest a total of $240 million in the blocks over different phases. The Block 3 – North El Mataria, which is BP’s first entry into the Onshore Nile Delta, is located in the northeastern part of the Nile Delta cone, approximately 57km to the west of Port Said city, said a statement. BP will operate the block with 50 per cent equity and Dana Gas will hold the remaining 50 per cent working interest, it said. The Block 8 - Karawan Offshore is located in the Mediterranean Sea, in the northeastern part of Egypt’s economic waters.

It lies at approximately 220km to the NE and 170km to the NW of Alexandria and Port Said cities respectively. BP will have 50 per cent equity and the block will be operated by ENI which holds the remaining 50 per cent. The programme will include 3D seismic and three exploration wells in each of the onshore and offshore blocks in phases over six to eight years. Hesham Mekawi, BP North Africa regional president, said: “BP is proud of the successful partnership it has had with Egypt for 50 years. We look forward to continuing to play a key role in the development of Egypt’s energy sector and maximising the use of our existing resources. “Our expertise and latest technologies will be deployed for mutual benefit in these new blocks which we believe have gas-bearing characteristics. Exploring the two blocks will require substantial investments to unlock their potential, and will be done as part of our commitment to meeting Egypt’s energy needs.”

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Sudan in Talks to Buy Qatari Gas Reuters + NewBase

Sudan is in talks with Qatar to buy natural gas for power generation. According to news agency Reuters, the African nation expects the shipment to arrive as early as next year.

"On this visit, we discussed the import of gas from Qatar to be used in the production of electricity in Sudan, and in the coming year we will see the arrival of Qatari gas to Sudan," Sudan’s defense minister Abdel Raheem Mohammed Hussein told reporters, Reuters reported. Though Hussein said the natural gas imports would be used for power generation, it was not immediately clear if Sudan had the facilities to import LNG or to use it to generate power, Reuters added.

Copyright © 2014 NewBase www.hawkenergy.net Edited by Khaled Al Awadi – Energy Consultant All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

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Tunisia: Serinus Energy preparing to put the Winstar-12bis

development well on extended production test .

Serinus Energy has reported preliminary results from the Winstar-12bis ('WIN-12bis') development well on the Sabria field, onshore Tunisia. The well has reached its total depth of 3,855 metres. The presence of hydrocarbons was initially confirmed by fluorescence exhibited in

the recovered core and drilling cuttings, and subsequently with open hole wireline logs. Early analysis of the data acquired from electric logs, full diameter core and drilling records indicate that the well has encountered 79 metres of oil bearing reservoir in the Upper Hamra, Lower Hamra and El Atchane formations, above an oil to water transition zone present throughout the lower zones in the well. Average reservoir porosity is 10%. An additional 14 metres of oil bearing reservoir have been identified within the transition zone, and the nuclear magnetic resonance tool has also unexpectedly indicated moveable oil below the base of the transition zone. Further testing will be required to understand the nature of the hydrocarbons in these lower sections. The well is being completed, after which the rig will move immediately to Winstar-13 ('WIN-13'). Once the rig is off location, WIN-12bis will be put on an extended production test.

During drilling, 23 metres of core were cut and recovered from the Azel and Upper Hamra zones at depths between 3,688 – 3,715 metres, after which drilling resumed to total depth and the well was logged. The core samples showed fluorescence, indicating the presence of hydrocarbons in the Upper Hamra reservoir.

Due to a combination of certain characteristics of the formation and reservoir fluid composition, a detailed petrophysical analysis was required to determine the thickness and porosity of the reservoir zones. That analysis was completed on November 1, 2014, and will be updated and adjusted based on production testing and the final core results. The full core analysis is expected to take up to two months to complete.

The logs are comparable to wells previously drilled in the Sabria Field, and indicate that the well has its best developed porosity in the Lower Hamra formation between 3,728 - 3,760 metres. Logs also confirm that this well contains the full Upper Hamra, Lower Hamra and El Atchane reservoir sections -other wells have had the Upper and Lower Hamra partially or wholly eroded. WIN-12bis is also the highest structural penetration of the reservoir section in the Sabria Field thus far, some 41 metres higher than Sabria-N3, the next highest in the field.

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A fracture system was detected in the Upper Hamra by drilling breaks and lost circulation during coring, and was subsequently confirmed by the imaging log.

The well has been plugged back to 3,784 metres, and is being completed for open hole production testing. Once the rig has moved off, WIN-12bis will be tied into the recently constructed flowline and placed on production through the Sabria Central Processing Facility. Testing will continue during the drilling and completion of WIN-13, which is expected to take 73 days. If production and pressure data from the test so dictate, the rig may be brought back to WIN-12bis to drill a horizontal leg.

Jock Graham, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Serinus said 'Winstar-12bis is the first well drilled by Serinus in Tunisia since the Winstar acquisition, and initial drilling and log results look promising. However, we still need to establish how the well will perform once on production and to this end, we are completing the well in order to undertake a production testing program.

We also experienced some delays while drilling this well due primarily to equipment failures associated with the rig, however those issues have been rectified and we anticipate better drilling productivity on Winstar-13, which will spud immediately after WIN-12bis is completed and the rig move finished.'

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LED light bulbs keep improving in efficiency and quality Source: EIA, based on Department of Energy's Lighting Facts Database

Improvements in lighting technology for light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs have increased lighting

efficiency, or efficacy, as well as color quality. In September of this year, several manufacturers

released ENERGY STAR®-qualified bulbs surpassing 100 lumens per watt. For comparison,

traditional incandescent bulbs, which do not meet current light bulb efficiency standards and are

no longer sold, provide 13 to 18 lumens per watt.

When first introduced, LED bulbs were far more expensive than other bulbs, but their costs have

since come down dramatically. Even now, however, they are often the most expensive bulbs on

the shelf, but their much longer lifetimes and lower power draw can economically justify the higher

initial cost

Costs to consumers have also been reduced by dozens of energy-efficiency programs that offer

in-store or mail-in rebates, discounts, or other incentives. The ENERGY STAR program estimates

that from 2011 through 2013, energy efficiency program sponsors spent $400 to $470 million

annually to encourage the adoption of ENERGY STAR-qualified lighting products. These products

include certain LEDs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), ceiling fan light kits, and other

luminaires. More information about these state, local, and utility programs can be found at

ENERGY STAR's rebate finder website and at the Database of State Incentives for Renewables

and Efficiency.

Shipment data collected by ENERGY STAR show that LED bulb shipments have increased from

about 9 million bulbs in 2011 to more than 45 million bulbs in 2013, reaching an estimated 2.3%

market share of general service lighting. Shipments of CFLs have been about 300 million annually

since 2011, with an estimated market share of 15% to 20%.

The Department of Energy's (DOE) Solid-State Lighting Program has encouraged research and

development of solid-state lighting, primarily LEDs, and promoted consumer education as the

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market evolves. The Lighting Factslabel that appears on almost all light bulb packages provides

information on the brightness (in lumens), power draw (in watts), efficacy (lumens per watt),

assumed lifetime, and estimated annual energy costs.

Two quality characteristics that often appear on these labels are the bulb's color temperature and

color rendering index (CRI) values.

Color temperature, measured in kelvins (K), refers to the appearance of the light from warm tones to cool tones. Lamps with lower color temperatures (around 2,500 K to 3,500 K) are closer to traditional incandescent and halogen bulbs, with slightly orange tones. Sunlight and some fluorescent lamps are associated with higher, bluer color temperatures. The ENERGY STAR specification requires color temperature to be between 2,750 K and 6,500 K.

Color rendering index measures how well the light renders or depicts the colors of objects, materials, and skin tones. For bulbs with color temperatures below 5,000 K, the index considers an incandescent lamp as essentially 100, so the more the appearance of a color sample deviates from its appearance under incandescent light, the lower its CRI will be. The ENERGY STAR specification requires CRI values to be at least 80, and several manufacturers have been able to meet this specification. However, consumer preference studies have found low correlation between consumer rankings and CRI values, so low CRI values may not indicate poor light quality.

Copyright © 2014 NewBase www.hawkenergy.net Edited by Khaled Al Awadi – Energy Consultant All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

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in this publication. However, no warranty is given to the accuracy of its content . Page 11

Oil extends losses below $83 on supply glut Reuters + NewBase

Brent crude dropped further below $83 a barrel on Wednesday, stretching losses into a fifth session, as weak economic data from top energy consumer China stoked worries about demand in a market that is already battling a deepening global supply glut. Services sector growth in China weakened in October as new business cooled, a private survey showed, coming just days after previous data revealed sluggish factory growth in the world's

second largest economy. "We had expected this," said Avtar Sandu, senior manager for commodities at Phillip Futures of the Chinese data. "The market is already soft for Brent and the Chinese data is not going to help although the numbers are not a surprise." Brent fell 28 cents to $82.54 a barrel by 0346 GMT. US crude slipped 5 cents to

$77.14, coming off a low of $75.84 hit in the previous session - its weakest since October 2011 - after data showed crude stocks unexpectedly fell last week as refineries boosted output. US crude stocks fell 639,000 barrels to 374.9 million in the week to Oct. 31, compared with analysts' expectations for a increase of 2.2 million barrels, data from industry group the American Petroleum Institute showed on Tuesday. The market is now waiting for weekly inventory data from the US Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration (EIA) later in the day for more clues on demand in the world's top oil consumer. Oil prices on both sides of the Atlantic lost more than 2 per cent overnight after Saudi Arabia cut export prices to the United States threatening to deepen a global supply glut that has driven prices down 30 per cent since June. A bleak outlook for Europe after the European Commission downgraded its forecast for euro zone economic growth over the next few years also weighed on oil prices. "The downgraded forecast in Europe is not really a surprise but it is a reminder that there is a risk," said Ric Spooner, chief analyst at CMC Markets in Sydney on how the weak economic outlook could crimp demand. "I think we are in a situation where the oil price needs to fall to a level where it actually results in supply changes. But what that level is, is what everybody is asking." Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi is making his first visits in years to fellow exporters Venezuela and Mexico, although tumbling oil prices are not the stated purpose of the trip, according to officials and sources. Still, the travel plans come at a pivotal moment for Saudi Arabia and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, which meets later in November to discuss how to respond to the rout in global oil prices.

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Opec concerned, but not panicking says UAE Reuters + NewBase The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) is concerned about crude oil prices that have lost more than a quarter of their value since June, but is not panicking, the UAE energy minister said on Tuesday. Brent crude fell towards $84 a barrel on Tuesday, after top oil exporter Saudi Arabia cut prices to the US. The cut had hammered oil prices on Monday as it underscores Saudi efforts to fight for market share in the world's largest oil consumer while raising prices to Asia and Europe. The absence of signs that Opec could curb output also continued to weigh on sentiment as abundant supplies of high-quality oil such as US shale have overwhelmed demand in many markets, filling stocks worldwide. "Yes we are concerned but we are not panicking," Suhail bin Mohammed Al-Mazroui told Reuters when asked if he was worried about the recent decline in global oil prices. He declined to say if Opec would cut output when it meets on November 27 in Vienna. The gathering is shaping up to be one of Opec's most important in years.

"As I said before let's wait, we are having a meeting at the end of the month," the minister said on the sidelines of an industry event in Abu Dhabi. "We as a group of producers are not the only ones producing, there are others. Our role is to balance the market with supply, this is what we will always do." While some Opec members have voiced concern over the drop in prices, indications are that Opec is unlikely to cut its output target. Opec's secretary general said last week that Opec's oil production is unlikely to change much in 2015. Opec members Iran and Kuwait have said a cut in output at the next meeting was unlikely. Saudi Arabia has yet to comment publicly.

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Switch in Saudi Arabia’s export strategy sends oil prices plunging LeAnne Graves The National + NewBase

Oil prices plumbed new depths yesterday as Saudi Arabia changed its export strategy, resulting in Brent crude prices falling 2.8 per cent to their lowest since November 2010. From Monday’s close of US$84.78, Brent fell to $82.36 per barrel in trading yesterday afternoon as Saudi Arabia decreased the relative price of its exports to the US, a move that was speculated to gain market share.

The Saudis alter the relative price of their oil by changing the differentials or, as the case may be, the premiums for various customers. At the same time as it was giving US buyers a bigger break, the state oil firm Saudi Aramco shifted gears as it announced that it would increase relative prices on its exports to Europe and Asia from the discounted rate the previous month.

The Arab Light Crude December export premium to Asia and Europe will increase to $1.05, from $0.10 in November. This move signals Saudi Arabia’s attempt to stifle US shale producers, which are anticipated to drive the market in 2015.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has said that the US will become the world’s top oil producer, edging out Russia and Saudi Arabia, as a result of its shale plays. The US will be close to achieving energy independence by 2035, changing markets drastically as the world’s second-largest oil importer becomes an exporter.

Despite the recent development in Saudi pricing strategies, the UAE plans to stick to its market strategy of ramping up crude oil production capacity to 3.5 million barrels per day from 2.72 million bpd. Ahmad Mohamed Al Kaabi, the UAE Ministry of Energy’s Director of the Petroleum Economics Department, said that Saudi Arabia’s decision did not affect the UAE’s strategy.

“The markets will decide the prices, not the suppliers,” Mr Al Kaabi said. He added: “The main objective is to satisfy local requirement; whatever goes beyond that will go for export.” On the markets yesterday, DME Oman continued to decline as prices declined by $1.88 to $81.49 a barrel. Mid-October had heralded the first time since June 2012 that futures traded below $90 a barrel.

WTI crude prices had hovered around $90 a barrel in September, but numbers began a steady decline the next month with WTI dropping to the lowest levels recorded in two years yesterday to $80.54. Ali Khalifa Al Shamsi, Adnoc strategy and coordination director, said that the country would continue to focus on unconventionals like shale oil and gas. He said: “The priority is to supply energy and gas that will meet demand.” Opec is scheduled to meet on November 27 to discuss output targets for the upcoming year as well as the drop in prices.

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NewBase For discussion or further details on the news below you may contact us on +971504822502 , Dubai , UAE

Your partner in Energy Services

Khaled Malallah Al Awadi, Energy Consultant

MSc. & BSc. Mechanical Engineering (HON), USA ASME member since 1995 Emarat member since 1990

Mobile : +97150-4822502 [email protected] [email protected]

Khaled Al Awadi is a UAE National with a total Khaled Al Awadi is a UAE National with a total Khaled Al Awadi is a UAE National with a total Khaled Al Awadi is a UAE National with a total

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sector. Currently working as Technical Affairs Specialist for sector. Currently working as Technical Affairs Specialist for sector. Currently working as Technical Affairs Specialist for sector. Currently working as Technical Affairs Specialist for

Emirates General PetroleuEmirates General PetroleuEmirates General PetroleuEmirates General Petroleum Corp. “Emarat“ with external m Corp. “Emarat“ with external m Corp. “Emarat“ with external m Corp. “Emarat“ with external

voluntary Energy consultation for the GCC area via Hawk voluntary Energy consultation for the GCC area via Hawk voluntary Energy consultation for the GCC area via Hawk voluntary Energy consultation for the GCC area via Hawk

Energy Service as a UAE operations base , Most of the Energy Service as a UAE operations base , Most of the Energy Service as a UAE operations base , Most of the Energy Service as a UAE operations base , Most of the

experience were spent as the Gas Operations Manager in experience were spent as the Gas Operations Manager in experience were spent as the Gas Operations Manager in experience were spent as the Gas Operations Manager in

Emarat , responsible for Emarat Gas Pipeline Network Emarat , responsible for Emarat Gas Pipeline Network Emarat , responsible for Emarat Gas Pipeline Network Emarat , responsible for Emarat Gas Pipeline Network Facility Facility Facility Facility

& gas compressor stations . Through the years , he has & gas compressor stations . Through the years , he has & gas compressor stations . Through the years , he has & gas compressor stations . Through the years , he has

developed great experiences in the designing & constructingdeveloped great experiences in the designing & constructingdeveloped great experiences in the designing & constructingdeveloped great experiences in the designing & constructing of gas pipelines, gas metering & regulating stations and in the of gas pipelines, gas metering & regulating stations and in the of gas pipelines, gas metering & regulating stations and in the of gas pipelines, gas metering & regulating stations and in the

engineering of supply routes. Many years were spent drafting, & coengineering of supply routes. Many years were spent drafting, & coengineering of supply routes. Many years were spent drafting, & coengineering of supply routes. Many years were spent drafting, & compiling gas transportation , operation & maintenance mpiling gas transportation , operation & maintenance mpiling gas transportation , operation & maintenance mpiling gas transportation , operation & maintenance

agreements along with many MOUs for the local authorities. He has become a reference for many of the Oil & Gas agreements along with many MOUs for the local authorities. He has become a reference for many of the Oil & Gas agreements along with many MOUs for the local authorities. He has become a reference for many of the Oil & Gas agreements along with many MOUs for the local authorities. He has become a reference for many of the Oil & Gas

Conferences held in the UAE andConferences held in the UAE andConferences held in the UAE andConferences held in the UAE and Energy program broadcasted internationally , via GCC leaEnergy program broadcasted internationally , via GCC leaEnergy program broadcasted internationally , via GCC leaEnergy program broadcasted internationally , via GCC leading satellite Channels . ding satellite Channels . ding satellite Channels . ding satellite Channels .

NewBase : For discussion or further details on the news above you may contact us on +971504822502 , Dubai , UAE

NewBase 04 November 2014 K. Al Awadi