Aramco in cooperation talks with France’s IFP

PARIS, April 8 (AFP) – The Saudi Arabian state-owned oil group Saudi Aramco and the Institute Francais du Petrole (IFP) are in talks on possible cooperation in research and training, the IFP said Thursday in a statement.

Saudi Aramcos president and chief executive officer Abdullah S. Jumah met IFP president Olivier Appert “to discuss the terms of a protocol accord which will be signed shortly”, the French institute said.

Possible areas of cooperation include a partnership in research projects, joint studies, training and personnel exchanges, its statement added.

“This accord demonstrates our will to increase our presence in the Middle East, and particularly in Saudi Arabia, the biggest producer country and holder of the largest world reserves” of crude oil, Appert said.