Saudi Arabia saw its crude oil exports rise in September, hitting a three-month high, according to just-released data from the Joint Organisations Data Initiative (JODI).

In September, exports rose to 5.75mbbl/d from 5.67mbbl/d in August, while the kingdom’s production fell to 8.98mbbl/d from 8.99mbbl/d in August.

JODI is an international collaboration, launched in 2001, to improve the availability and reliability of data on crude oil and and natural gas.

The data also revealed that Saudi Arabia’s production of refined products rose by 0.035mbbl/d to 2.76mbbl/d.

All OPEC members are required to provide monthly export figures to JODI, which then collates and publishes them.

In late September, Saudi Arabia revealed it had exported 5.7mbbl/d of oil in July, the lowest level since August 2023, JODI data revealed at the time.

The kingdom, the world’s second-largest oil producer, saw its crude exports fall by around 5.1% from 6.1mbbl/d in June. Meanwhile, its production rose very slightly to 8.9mbbl/d.

Offshore Technology reported in September that China was likely to see a 7% monthly increase in Saudi Arabian oil imports in October, as the kingdom cut prices for Asian nations and refiners in China seek more of the nation's crude.

China’s slight rise in imports followed state oil company Saudi Aramco dropping its official Asia selling price for its Arab Light crude, making imports more attractive.

Meanwhile, in October, Saudi Arabia revealed it was poised to make a multibillion-dollar investment in green hydrogen, with plans to establish a new company dedicated to producing the low-carbon fuel, reported several news outlets, citing sources. 

This initiative is part of the kingdom’s broader strategy to diversify away from oil and gas, while maintaining its status as a key global energy supplier.

The sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has initiated the formation of Energy Solutions, the sources said.