16 September 2016
Legacy Award, 2016: Ali Al Naimi
Al Naimi’s influence on global oil markets over the decades has been unquestionable. In the year in which Naimi stepped down as Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, it is fitting that his work be recognised. Naimi’s determination in bettering the field, both domestically and across international markets, will surely be felt for years to come. Over the duration of his 20 years as oil minister, Naimi arguably became the most influential voice in world energy markets, helping to steer Opec through some of its most tumultuous times. At the young age of 12 he started work as an errand runner at Aramco. An American executive saw promise and recommended that he be educated in
Also in this section
5 March 2026
Gas is a central pillar of Colombia’s energy system, but declining production poses a significant challenge, and LNG will be increasingly needed as a stopgap. A recent major offshore gas discovery offers hope, but policy improvements are also required, Camilo Morales, secretary general of Naturgas, the Colombian gas association, tells Petroleum Economist
4 March 2026
The continent’s inventories were already depleted before conflict erupted in the Middle East, causing prices to spike ahead of the crucial summer refilling season
4 March 2026
The US president has repeatedly promised to lower gasoline prices, but this ambition conflicts with his parallel aim to increase drilling and could be upended by his war against Iran
4 March 2026
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed following US-Israel strikes and Iran’s retaliatory escalation, Fujairah has become the region’s critical pressure release valve—and is now under serious threat






