President Joe Biden sent two State Department officials to Saudi Arabia to negotiate higher oil production rates ahead of a potential energy crisis in Europe should Russia invade Ukraine.
Brett McGurk, Middle East coordinator for the National Security Council, and State Department energy envoy Amos Hochstein were in the Saudi capital Wednesday, partially to urge the country to ramp up oil production to head off an increase in gas prices should Russia cut off the majority of Europe’s oil supply, CNN reported.
The results of the talks are unclear, though Saudi Arabia is reportedly reluctant to change its oil output due to Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries agreements that include Russia, sources told CNN.
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White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed the diplomats were on a visit to Saudi Arabia and that they were discussing numerous issues, including the war in Yemen. Psaki said that the officials are “engaging with our partners around the world about ensuring supply meets demand.”
Biden and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud had a call last week about global energy prices, after which King Salman reiterated his country’s commitment to the OPEC agreement, the Wall Street Journal reported. Under the agreement, Saudi Arabia produces about 10 million barrels of oil per day, less than its capacity of 12 million.
Biden said Tuesday that a Russo-Ukrainian war would also affect gas prices in the United States.
“There could be an impact on our energy prices, so we are taking active steps to alleviate the pressure on our own energy markets and offset raising prices by coordinating with major energy consumers and producers to prepare to employ all the tools and authority at our disposal to provide relief at the gas pump,” he said.
Russia is the second-largest oil producer in the world and provides 27% of Europe’s oil imports. It is also responsible for 40% of Europe’s natural gas, with a significant amount passing through Ukraine.
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Biden has opposed increasing domestic energy production by halting the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline and halting permits for new oil and gas leasing on federal land last year.
Russia has been amassing troops on Ukraine’s border in an apparent setup for an “imminent” invasion, according to the White House.
The State Department did not respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
