Saudi Arabia is in a rush to boost oil prices ahead of record-setting Aramco IPO
CNNNew York CNN Business — Today’s stubbornly-low oil prices are standing in the way of Saudi Arabia’s grand ambitions. Saudi Arabia’s surprise decision over the weekend to install a new oil minister, its third in just over three years, reflects a sense of urgency about boosting prices ahead of the planned Aramco IPO. The entire country is intertwined with oil prices.” Michael Tran,, director of global energy strategy at RBC Capital Markets Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, did not divulge a reason for the switch. “There is nothing radical about it at all.” Saudi Arabia's new oil minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, signaled support on Monday for the alliance between OPEC and non-OPEC nations like Russia. The switch at the top of Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry has raised speculation that the kingdom could shift course by restarting the market share war it waged in 2014 under former oil minister Ali al-Naimi.