Aramco posted net profit of 135.9 billion riyals (about 32.3 billion euros) in the third quarter, compared with around 101 billion riyals (24 billion euros) in the same period a year earlier, a result that included a 25.9 billion riyal gain from selling its stake in the PRefChem joint venture to Malaysia’s Petronas, while the Iranian-backed Houthis have regularly attacked Saudi tankers, pipelines, storage facilities and refineries since hostilities resumed in July.

Adjusted net income stood at US$ 31.2 billion, up from US$ 28.6 billion a year earlier, above the median analyst estimate of US$ 30.66 billion; downstream posted adjusted earnings before interest and taxes of US$ 10.3 billion, up 234% in a year on stronger refining margins, and the board approved a base dividend of US$ 21.9 billion, up 3.5% in a year. Chief executive Amin Nasser said geopolitical uncertainty and attacks on energy facilities kept amplifying the global supply crisis in the quarter, with serious implications for energy security.