Aramco’s Robust financial performance highlights reliability, efficiency and low-cost operations – CEO

Saudi Aramco’s strong first-quarter performance in 2025 underscored the company’s resilience, efficiency, and low-cost operations despite headwinds from shifting global trade dynamics and economic uncertainty, President and CEO Amin H. Nasser said.

“Global energy markets in the first quarter were impacted by trade-related factors, which contributed to economic uncertainty and pressured oil prices,” Nasser said. “In this context, Aramco’s robust financial performance once again demonstrated the company’s unique scale, operational reliability, cost efficiency, and commitment to advanced technologies.”

Nasser said the company’s long-term strategy and disciplined capital planning continue to support performance through market volatility.

“Periods like these emphasize the importance of flexibility and disciplined execution. Aramco’s resilience is reflected in the strength of our financial results and our sustainable and growing base dividend,” he said.

He added that Aramco remained focused on expanding across its core businesses while advancing lower-carbon initiatives.

“We believe all forms of energy are essential to meeting global demand,” he said. “We continue to implement our growth strategy across upstream, downstream, and new energies while significantly advancing emission reduction efforts. Our ambition is reflected in milestones announced so far in 2025, including progress toward our gas growth targets, global retail expansion, petrochemical development, advances in our blue hydrogen business, and continued innovation in carbon capture.”

Financial highlights:

• Net income: SAR 97.5 billion ($26.0 billion), down from SAR 102.3 billion ($27.3 billion) in Q1 2024
• Cash flow from operating activities: SAR 118.9 billion ($31.7 billion), compared with SAR 126.0 billion ($33.6 billion) a year earlier
• Free cash flow: SAR 71.8 billion ($19.2 billion), versus SAR 85.3 billion ($22.8 billion) in Q1 2024
• Gearing ratio: 5.3% as of March 31, 2025, up from 4.5% at end-2024

Aramco’s board declared a base dividend of SAR 79.3 billion ($21.1 billion) for the first quarter, up 4.2% year-on-year, and a performance-linked dividend of SAR 1 billion ($0.2 billion), both payable in the second quarter.

Capital expenditures stood at SAR 47.1 billion ($12.5 billion) in Q1 2025, supporting the company’s long-term growth plans.

The Ministry of Energy also announced new oil and gas discoveries during the quarter, reinforcing Aramco’s competitive edge in exploration.

In line with its downstream expansion strategy, Aramco signed definitive agreements to acquire a 25% stake in Unioil Petroleum Philippines. It also completed the acquisition of a 50% stake in Blue Hydrogen Industrial Gases Company to tap into emerging opportunities in lower-carbon energy.

In emissions reduction, Aramco launched a pilot plant for direct air capture of carbon dioxide, a step toward scaling up innovative climate technologies.