Saudi to maintain 'stable' oil policies: Energy minister

The new energy minister of Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, today pledged continuity in the kingdom's oil policy, after being named in a major government overhaul.

"Saudi Arabia will maintain its stable petroleum policies," Khalid al-Falih said in a statement a day after King Salman appointed him to replace longtime former oil minister Ali al-Naimi.

"We remain committed to maintaining our role in international energy markets and strengthening our position as the world's most reliable supplier of energy," Falih added.

Salman tapped Falih, the chairman of state oil giant Saudi Aramco, to head an expanded energy, industry and mineral resources portfolio.

His predecessor Naimi had led the now-defunct ministry of petroleum and mineral resources for about two decades.

Naimi oversaw a major change in policy towards the end of his tenure when the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) refused to cut production despite a price plunge.

Instead, OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia focused on protecting its market share and driving out less-competitive players, including the developers of US shale oil.

Major oil producers failed to reach an agreement on freezing output in Qatar last month as Saudi Arabia insisted any deal must include all OPEC members, including rival Iran which boycotted the talks.

The price collapse, from above USD 100 in early 2014 to less than USD 45 on Friday, has intensified Saudi efforts to diversify the economy away from oil which makes up the majority of its revenue.

Falih was appointed as part of a government shakeup that saw several ministries merged in what analysts said reflected the government's determination to diversify the economy under its wide-ranging Vision 2030 plan announced last month.

Falih said the new ministry was created "in line with the ambitious objectives" of the vision which has pledged "transparency and accountability".

The new approach "will help the kingdom to better meet domestic and international energy demand," while integrating and diversifying energy and other resources, he said.

An oil industry source, speaking shortly before Falih issued his statement, said he did not expect any change in Saudi oil policy under the new setup.

The kingdom produced about 10.1 million barrels of oil per day in March, according to data cited by OPEC.