Saudi Arabia is set to raise December crude oil prices for Asian buyers, according to a survey of refiners conducted by Reuters.
The leading oil exporter is expected to raise the price of its Light Arab crude to $0.90 per barrel over Platts’ Oman-Dubai benchmark price in the Asian markets, Reuters reports. This would be the highest premium on the Oman-Dubai benchmark price for Arab Light since September 2014. Â
Prices for heavier grades are also expected to rise. The survey indicated that refiners expect the Asian price of Saudi Arabia’s Arab Heavy to rise to $1.30 below the Oman-Dubai average, indicated a tightening of the oil market in Asia.
Over the past several years, Saudi Arabia has been offering a significant discount on its Arab Heavy. The last time the discount dipped under .
30 was in December 2013, according to Reuters.
Even with higher oil prices, Saudi Arabia is still projected to run a budget deficit over the coming year. According to Bloomberg, the government needs oil prices of $70 per barrel to break even.