Saudi Arabia to restructure oil giant Aramco

Dubai

SAUDI Arabia is restructuring the world's biggest energy company, Saudi Aramco, in a move apparently aimed at letting it operate more at arm's length from the powerful oil ministry.

Analysts expected technocrats to get a freer hand in running the state-owned giant. Some said the restructuring might be the first step in a shake-up of the Saudi energy sector, and could possibly pave the way for a prince to take over the ministry itself, which is traditionally run by industry experts rather than members of the royal family.

Citing unnamed sources, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV reported on Friday that Aramco would be sepa…