Oil & Gas Aramco ‘considering asset sales’ to free up funds By Reuters May 26, 2025, 7:45 AM Reuters Saudi Aramco employees on site. The company has asked investment bankers to pitch ideas for how to raise funds from its assets Aramco goes to investment bankers Oil company needs to cut costs Dividends to be slashed Saudi Aramco is considering asset sales to free up funds as it pursues an international expansion and weathers lower crude prices, sources have told Reuters. The world’s largest oil-producing company is the main source of Saudi state revenue. The company will slash dividend payouts by nearly a third this year as lower oil prices hit its income. Aramco has asked investment bankers to pitch ideas for how to raise funds from its assets, the sources said. They declined to say which assets could be sold or name the banks involved. Aramco declined to comment. The company wants to improve efficiency and cut costs, according to two other sources, and an option under consideration would be asset sales, one of them said. The four sources declined to be named because they are not authorised to speak to media. Aramco is the engine of the Saudi economy and its sprawling business includes units for aviation, construction and sports. It has retained majority stakes during previous asset sales such as its deals around its pipeline infrastructure. Aramco to post lower profit and may slash dividend Aramco profits down – and worse is to come, say analysts Aramco explores stake in $18bn LNG project in US The Saudi government is putting pressure on its industries to improve profitability amid low crude prices and as it spends its hydrocarbon wealth on new sectors to cut reliance on oil. The kingdom faces a widening budget deficit with the International Monetary Fund saying Riyadh needs a price of oil of over $90 per barrel to balance its books compared to prices of around $60 per barrel in recent weeks. Aramco has in recent years made a push to grow its global footprint, including investing in Chinese refineries, Chilean fuel retailer Esmax and US-headquartered LNG firm MidOcean. The Saudi company said last week it signed 34 preliminary deals potentially worth up to $90 billion with US firms following President Donald Trump’s visit to the kingdom. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
