Saudi Aramco hit a record $2.2 trillion in market value on Wednesday with its shares soaring to their highest level since listing. Shares rose over 3 percent to SR40.5 ($10.8) amid trading of over 27 million shares on the Saudi stock exchange. The oil giant is reviewing some assets to potentially sell in the future, CEO, Amin Al-Nasser, earlier said. Also, Aramco and an international investor consortium, led by affiliates of BlackRock and Hassana, announced today the successful closing of the lease and leaseback deal previously announced on December 6, 2021. The consortium has acquired 49% stake in Aramco Gas Pipelines Company, a subsidiary of Aramco, for $15.5 billion (SAR 58.1 billion). The consortium comprises leading institutional investors including, amongst others, Keppel Infrastructure Trust, Silk Road Fund, and China Merchants Capital. As part of the transaction, first announced in December 2021, Aramco Gas Pipelines Company and Aramco entered into a 20-year lease and leaseback arrangement in connection with Aramco's gas pipeline network. Under this arrangement, Aramco Gas Pipelines Company will receive a tariff payable by Aramco for the specified gas products that flow through the network, backed by minimum commitments on throughput. Aramco retains a 51% majority stake in Aramco Gas Pipeline Company, and also retains full ownership and operational control of the gas pipeline network. The transaction does not impose any restrictions on Aramco's production volumes. The deal follows the closing of a $12.4 billion infrastructure transaction in connection with Aramco's stabilized crude oil pipeline network in June 2021. – SG
