Al-Falih calls fossil fuels the crown jewels of global energy resources
Aramco chief’s calls for greater energy efficiency echoed by GE’s Bolze
The head of Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, yesterday hailed the world’s abundant fossil fuel resources in his keynote speech, the first of the World Energy Congress 2013. Khalid Al-Falih, chief executive of Saudi Aramco, said the world’s reserves stood at 14 trillion barrels of oil and 7,000 trillion cubic feet of gas, or, at present rates of use, about 50 years supply of oil and 250 years supply of gas. Al-Falih told delegates: “The earth is blessed with a colossal endowment of fossil energy. Current proven reserves of 1.6 trillion barrels, which equate to half a century of global oil production at current rates, are at their highest level ever. “Oil and gas are the most eff
Also in this section
19 January 2026
Newfound optimism is emerging that a dormant exploration frontier could become a strategic energy play and—whisper it quietly—Europe’s next offshore opportunity
16 January 2026
The country’s global energy importance and domestic political fate are interlocked, highlighting its outsized oil and gas powers, and the heightened fallout risk
16 January 2026
The global maritime oil transport sector enters 2026 facing a rare convergence of crude oversupply, record newbuild deliveries and the potential easing of several geopolitical disruptions that have shaped trade flows since 2022
15 January 2026
Rebuilding industry, energy dominance and lower energy costs are key goals that remain at odds in 2026






