Aramco plans new gas unit, potential listing

Saudi Aramco is planning to reorganize its business to create a new gas division, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the matter, as the oil giant explores ways to raise capital, including potential stock market listings of some of its businesses.

The restructuring would expand Aramco's business structure from two main divisions — upstream and downstream — to three, with each division headed by its own chief, the sources said.

Aramco is also considering other ways to raise cash, including lease-and-leaseback deals, under which the company would lease certain assets to a group of investors for an upfront payment and then lease them back, while retaining operational control and paying usage fees over an agreed period.

The company is also weighing a potential minority stake sale in the gas unit through a stock market listing as another option for raising cash, the sources said.