Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Saudi Arabia has increased crude oil exports in 2014.

A Saudi analyst said the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom exported 1.17
billion barrels of oil during the first five months of this year.

The analyst, Fahad Bin Jumaa, also citing a sharp drop in domestic consumption,
said the increase stemmed from rising demand by China, which was augmenting
its strategic stockpile.

The Saudi government has not confirmed Bin Jumaa’s figures, published in
the regime-controlled daily Al Riyad.

Last month, Saudi Oil Minister Al Al Naimi said the kingdom was preparing to produce and export additional oil amid the crisis between Russia and the West.

Saudi Arabia has reported oil production at 9.6 million barrels per day.
Al Naimi said the figure could rise to up to 12.5 million barrels per day.

  9.6 million barrels per day, Chinese demand drives spike in Saudi oil exports