Letter from the Middle East: Buyers call for more

Western countries want Mideast Gulf producers to boost output, but the options are limited

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has put many Middle Eastern countries in a tricky position politically, but it has reinforced their centrality to the global energy economy. Mideast Gulf countries complain that Western leaders only visit when they need them. They bemoan a lack of support over attacks on energy infrastructure emanating from the Houthi forces in Yemen, and the Biden administration’s pursuit of a renewed deal with Iran. As the only two Opec+ members with substantial spare oil production capacity, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been implored by the US, Germany and the UK to raise output. Both are engaged in multi-year expansion programmes. Riyadh responded coldly that it would not be