Critical Factors Affecting Saudi Arabia's Oil Decisions

Saudi Arabia has a vital role in meeting world energy needs because it has over 25 percent of the free world's known oil reserves and the ability to increase or decrease oil production. Various studies on the world energy outlook conclude that before the end of this century world oil supplies will be insufficient to meet demand under an orderly marketing system. Factors affecting the ability and willingness of Saudi Arabia to expand future petroleum production to meet incremental world demand were examined.