Bush: Saudi boost in oil production 'doesn't solve our problem'
ABU DHABI — The Saudi leadership greeted visiting U.S. President George Bush with a
message that Riyad would not increase oil output beyond the increase announced earlier this month. Officials said the message
was relayed ahead of Bush's arrival to the Arab kingdom on May 16.
"What they're saying to us is Saudi Arabia does not have customers that
are making requests for oil that they are not able to satisfy," U.S.
National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley said.
Officials said this marked the third U.S. request for a significant
increase in Saudi oil production. On May 16, the price of a barrel of crude
oil exceeded $127, Middle East Newsline reported.
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Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al Nueimi said the kingdom increased oil
production by 300,000 barrels per day on May 10. He said production in June
would reach 9.45 million barrels per day. The kingdom's oil production
capacity was reported at 11.3 million barrels.
"In the future if the need appears, Saudi Arabia has no objection to
producing more," Al Nuemi said.
"It's something, but it doesn't solve our problem," Bush said on
Saturday in wake of the Saudi announcement of an oil production increase.
"Our problem in America gets solved if we expand our refining capacity,
promote nuclear energy and continue our strategy for the advancement of
alternative energies."
During Bush's visit, Saudi Arabia and the United States signed an
agreement for the protection of Saudi institutions and energy
infrastructure. The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding
to cooperate on a peaceful nuclear energy program.