Total’s chief executive Patrick Pouyanne has warned that Saudi Arabia’s social and economic reforms might be a bit too ambitious, and might not go as smoothly, not to mention as quickly, as their proponents seem to believe. Speaking at an event in London, Pouyanne said “You don’t change into a secular regime just like that,” reminiscing about the situation in Russia after the toppling of its last Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbatchev. Chaos, Pouyanne said, was the first stage of the transition. The Saudi Vision 2030 program, initiated by Crown Prince Mohammed, envisages sweeping reforms in the Kingdom’s economy and society, most of them hinging on a complete transformation of its energy industry aimed at reducing its dependence on oil. Plans for several renewable projects and allowing women to drive cars and enter stadiums are the latest indications that Riyadh is taking the initiative seriously. However, these are early steps […]