Future-proofing Aramco
Record profits allow for investment drive not just in the upstream but also the downstream and in lower-carbon
State oil heavyweight Saudi Aramco’s vast $48.8bn second-quarter profit—the biggest of any listed company worldwide—came as little surprise, given the oil market’s sustained bull run. The firm’s commitment to ploughing its windfall into an upstream expansion programme, designed to ensure it is not only a key player while the world has—in its view—continued long-term need for its core product, but also the ‘last man standing’ as and when oil demand finally goes into retreat, is also familiar ground. But it is also showing awareness of the gathering decarbonisation storm clouds. And it is likewise investing heavily to armour its business. Financial metrics were predictably glittering across th
Also in this section
7 November 2025
The Russian company’s German assets are under Berlin’s management and are exempt from sanctions, for now, but a permanent solution still needs to be found
6 November 2025
The Russian firm made a significant attempt to expand overseas over the past two decades but is now divesting its global operations
6 November 2025
After years of pursuing ideologically driven climate leadership, Western powers are now stepping back under mounting political pressure and rising populist opposition—prompting concern essential climate action could be sidelined
5 November 2025
Construction of the pipeline in Afghanistan is making tangible progress, but extending it into Pakistan and India remains unrealistic for political reasons






