With temperatures already exceeding 40°C in parts of the Gulf, heavy use of air conditioning is driving up electricity consumption. In Saudi Arabia, gas shortages mean this additional demand is met through burning liquids – crude oil, fuel oil, and to a much lesser extent, diesel.

Speaking at an 8 June press conference, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said that volumes freed up once voluntary crude oil production cuts end from July (MEES, 12 June) will be largely directed to meeting this domestic demand. (CONTINUED - 599 WORDS)