Breaking Rank

Yamani talks price war

In the frequently murky realm of global oil prices, even the offhand remarks of Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ahmed Zaki Yamani can create an avalanche of rumor and speculation. Last week the energy industry worldwide was abuzz over Yamani's latest actions. With an OPEC meeting scheduled for Oct. 3 in Vienna, the mercurial minister let it be known that he had entered negotiations that could lead to lower Saudi Arabian crude prices for some customers. The move was seen by many as evidence that prices of the hard-pressed OPEC cartel might be on the verge of cracking. Said John Lichtblau, president...

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