Will Saudi Aramco Fall Prey to a Prince's Politics?

It's no secret that the engine of Saudi Arabia's massive economy is its energy giant, the Saudi Arabian Oil Co. The company produces nearly all of the kingdom's oil and natural gas, which accounted for 63 percent of the government's revenue last year even amid stubbornly low oil prices and an attempt to diversify away from the energy sector. But a lesser-known (and perhaps more interesting) aspect of the firm is its competence, efficiency and skilled internal management -- characteristics that are rarely found in most national oil companies. The firm may not retain these unique traits for much longer, though. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has begun driving fundamental changes in the kingdom's leadership and oil industry that could blunt Saudi Aramco's edge over its less effective peers in the long run, especially amid the new challenges arising as the company grows into an integrated multinational firm....