The rise of nanometers

West Asia, Kingdom of Sand.

Aramco headquarters.

As an oil company that has been in existence for 79 years, it is the world's largest crude oil producer. Although it significantly reduced its production last year, from 2.4 billion barrels (equivalent to 300 million tons) in 2010 to 1.87 billion barrels, it is still the world's largest crude oil producer. of crude oil producers.

From the name of Aramco, many people can actually guess that they have a turbulent relationship with the United States.

The current board of directors of Aramco consists of 11 members. Chairman Arthur Lumayen, President Amin Nasser, 4 board members sent by Saudi Arabia, and 4 senior officials sent by Shell, Dow Chemical, and Chevron management, plus 1 consultant from the consulting company.

Aramco’s headquarters, after many twists and turns from San Francisco, USA, to Doha, Qatar, returned to the eastern city of Dammam in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is also one of Aramco’s oil refining centers.

It's almost noon in East Eighth District, and the sun has just risen here.

A secret meeting was being held in the gorgeous Aramco headquarters building.

President Amin put down the document in his hand and said seriously: "Lucia has already responded, and we must take action. Even if it means compensating liquidated damages, we must cut off the supply of crude oil this year."

Last year, the amount of crude oil sold by their company to China reached 50.27 million tons (366.97 million barrels), accounting for one-sixth of the total production. The average crude oil price per barrel was 128 meters, totaling 46.97228 billion meters.

Based on Aramco's production cost of 8 meters per barrel of crude oil, the profit reached 44 billion meters.

No one can calm down in the face of such huge interests.

The entire OPEC members export a total of approximately 140 million tons of crude oil to China, accounting for 56% of China's total imports.

If international crude oil prices plummet, they may lose tens of billions of dollars every year.

"The other members all have the same opinion. They must teach each other a lesson, otherwise everyone's interests will be seriously damaged." Chairman Arthur said.

As for the executives of Shell, Dow Chemical, and Chevron, they naturally have no opinions. They have already had ideas, but there has been no consensus within Aramco.

The recent energy self-sustainability incident has fermented, and the two sides hit it off immediately. Aramco has reached an internal agreement to take up oil weapons and teach the arrogant East a lesson.

"Chairman Arthur, President Amin, I need to remind you that according to the current contract, if you breach the contract, you will be compensated 30% of the liquidated damages." A consultant from McKinsey Consulting reminded solemnly.

As soon as they heard this, Arthur and Amin felt heartbroken.

You must know that the crude oil contract they signed reached about 280 million barrels. According to the contract price, they will have to pay an average of 40 meters per barrel, and a total of 11.2 billion yuan in liquidated damages.

Some OPEC members have signed contracts, and compensation is indispensable. Aramco also needs to support other members with this money, otherwise those guys would rather fulfill the contract than pay billions of dollars in compensation.

Pushing back and forth, everyone either tried to find a way to "shut down production due to accidents", or they looked helplessly at Aramco, the richest company, and hoped that Aramco would pay for part of it.

Arthur and Amin, who understood the current situation, after weighing the pros and cons, decided to spend a sum of money to reduce the burden on each member and unite everyone.

Otherwise, the effect of cutting off the supply of crude oil will be unfavorable and may not achieve the expected deterrent effect, allowing the "big customer" to find its way back.

For more than a week.

Crude oil producers around the world have experienced large and small natural and man-made disasters. They don't care whether others believe it or not, as long as they believe it themselves.

Zhang Antu, head of Two Barrel Oil's branch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, met with Aramco's head of global markets Iben in Dammam on January 9.

In the conference hall, the atmosphere was very strange.

Members of both sides' negotiation teams seemed nonchalant about the suspension of cooperation.

Iben, holding the milk tea, looked apologetic on the surface: "Zhang, I'm very sorry about what happened this time. Due to some problems with the company's management, we had no choice but to make this decision."

Zhang Antu, on the other hand, seemed calm: "We deeply regret your decision, but it is impossible to reduce the contract liquidated damages."

Iben nodded: "This is natural. We will compensate your company 11.2 billion yuan in accordance with the contract."

After the two parties had some meals, Zhang Antu was about to leave.

"Zhang, wait a moment."

Zhang Antu stopped and asked pretending to be confused: "Mr. Iben? Is there anything else?"

The two came to a corner.

Only then did Iben start to make insinuations: "Zhang, how is the development of new energy in your country?"

Zhang Antu, who was suddenly amused, raised his glasses and said, "Mr. Iben, didn't you read the Wall Street Journal's survey?"

"Haha..." Iben didn't care, but hinted: "Your company is actually a victim. The world's crude oil production is enough to supply your country. An overly radical new energy strategy may sometimes be counterproductive."

"Oh? I didn't expect that Mr. Iben would also do research on new energy?" Zhang Antu asked with a half-smile.

Iben continued to hint without giving up: "Zhang, if there weren't those annoying new energy vehicles, we would be good friends, and the price of crude oil can also be negotiated."

"What's the price? Can I get 15 meters per barrel? Can I still settle in Chinese dollars?" Zhang Antu mocked.

15 meters per barrel?

Why don't you go rob?

Still settle in Chinese Yuan?

Do you really think the bald eagle can't lift the knife?

Iben sneered at Zhang Antu's words in his heart, but on the surface, he still persuaded with a smile: "Zhang, if you use new energy, you may have long-term energy supply shortages, and may even lead to economic recession, so you should think about it carefully. !”

Zhang Antu stared calmly into the other person's eyes: "If the price is 80 Chinese yuan per barrel, and the settlement is in Chinese yuan, maybe my company will consider it."

Seeing Zhang Antu who was unable to supply oil and salt, Iben felt a little angry inside and threatened: "Zhang, if this is your attitude, our company may not be able to resume crude oil supply in the near future."

"It doesn't matter. The crude oil is underground anyway and won't escape. You might as well keep it." Zhang Antu spread his hands indifferently: "By the way, remember to pay the liquidated damages on time. If there is nothing else, I will leave first."

In the conference hall, Iben's face was uncertain, and the toughness of Two Barrels of Oil's attitude was somewhat beyond his expectation.

But now, they can only go ahead according to the plan. In fact, Aramco does not know that even if they do not take action, Two Barrels of Oil will launch a counterattack.

It's just that there is liquidated damages to be collected now. If you don't take it, it will be for nothing. Let's just watch these guys commit suicide.

Soon, under the leadership of Aramco, crude oil producers in various regions successively paid liquidated damages for two barrels of oil, and the amount of liquidated damages received was as high as 24.1 billion yuan.

Behind this sky-high liquidated damages, there is actually a hidden murderous intention. The reason why these guys are so cheerful is that they have made a lot of money before, they have some support from Aramco, and they plan to settle accounts in the future.

According to their plan, they only need to force the "big customers" to bow their heads, and then earn back their capital and profits.

It's a pity that their little abacus made a few mistakes, not knowing that this was a sinkhole.

Thank you for your support (ω｀)