When it comes to whether Saudi Arabia will invest billions of dollars to increase its ability to pump more oil, boosting the world’s only large stand-by reserve, minister Ali al-Naimi has a quick answer: show me the return. Naimi, speaking informally to reporters in Vienna on Thursday, was asked whether the kingdom needs to lift its capacity now that it is pumping crude at its fastest rate in over three decades to meet a resurgence in demand. The country last embarked on a $100 billion push to raise its capacity a decade ago amid a price boom fueled by China’s growth. It can now pump as much as 12.5 million barrels per day (bpd), scarcely 2 million bpd above current output. With casual banter, Naimi responded: “Is there demand for Saudi crude? Can you guarantee it? If I go and put a dollar, will you guarantee that I […]