DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA - U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry has concluded a productive visit to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, two of America’s most important strategic energy partners.

During his visit to Qatar, the Secretary met with the Minister of State for Energy Affairs and CEO of Qatar Petroleum, Saad Al-Kaabi. The two leaders previously met during the World Gas Conference and the Secretary’s 2017 visit to Doha. Secretary Perry congratulated Minister Al-Kaabi on his new expanded role as the leader of all Qatari energy affairs and reiterated the Administration’s support for Doha, especially as a strategic energy ally in the region. Secretary Perry advocated for the expansion of joint partnerships with the United States as Qatar seeks to grow its LNG operations around the world. The Ministers also discussed the potential of increased Qatar Petroleum investments in the United States energy sector. During his visit to Doha, the Secretary also met with other key Qatari government officials and private energy stakeholders operating in the region.

Secretary Perry then traveled to Saudi Arabia where he held bilateral meetings with the Saudi Minister of Energy, Khalid Al-Falih, as well as the CEO of Saudi Aramco and other energy industry stakeholders operating in the Eastern Province. During the talks, the Secretary expressed that the United States continues to view Saudi Arabia as an important ally, particularly in the energy space. Perry and Al-Falih spoke about last week’s OPEC announcement of production cuts and Perry reiterated the need for stable supply and market values. They also discussed the 2018 increase in Saudi oil production and the impact it has had on world markets in the wake of the Iran sanctions. 

Finally, Secretary Perry and Minister Al-Falih continued their dialogue on a potential 123 agreement between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Secretary Perry underscored the message that he carries all over the world: any nation seeking to develop a truly safe, clean, and secure nuclear energy program should turn to American companies who have the ability to provide the technology, knowledge, and experience that are essential to achieving that goal.