July 24, 2025 [Oil & Gas Middle East]- Saudi Arabia’s global reputation is changing fast, and for the oil and gas industry, that shift speaks volumes. According to CARMA’s 5th Annual Kingdom Reputation Report, the Kingdom saw a 25% increase in positive global media coverage in 2024, while negative sentiment dropped 55% compared to 2020. Driving this transformation: a deliberate move to reposition the country from a traditional hydrocarbons heavyweight into a diversified energy and investment powerhouse.

For oil and gas professionals, this changing perception reinforces Saudi Arabia’s status not just as a producer, but as a long-term energy leader guiding the global conversation on innovation, sustainability and geopolitical relevance.

Vision 2030: A Reputation Strategy with Real Economic Weight

Vision 2030 dominated 60% of international media coverage on Saudi Arabia in 2024 — the highest share on record. Importantly, economic and social transformation stories are now outpacing political headlines.

This reputational shift is backed by substance. In 2024, media coverage of Saudi Arabia’s economy rose by 77%, driven by investment-heavy events like the Future Investment Initiative (FII), the LEAP tech conference, and the World Defence Show — all platforms where energy, technology, and industrial strategy intersect. This marks a global reframing of Saudi Arabia as a driver of integrated energy innovation.

Energy Coverage Remains Positive Amid a Diversifying Portfolio

While oil and gas made up a smaller slice of total media coverage (around 6–10% depending on outlet and geography), the tone was largely positive. The report shows that energy and infrastructure projects were key contributors to favourable sentiment, particularly in international business and investment media.

This reflects both continued global confidence in the Kingdom’s energy leadership and a growing recognition of its shift toward cleaner fuels, hydrogen development, and downstream diversification.

Leadership on the Global Stage

Saudi Arabia’s ministers, especially in energy, finance, and investment, featured prominently and positively across global media. The visibility of figures like the Energy Minister and Aramco’s CEO underscores the Kingdom’s strategic communication approach: backing vision with credible, high-level voices. This positions Saudi Arabia not just as a stable producer, but as a shaping force in the future of energy, from pricing stability to new technology plays.

Reputation = Market Confidence

CARMA’s survey also points to rising public openness:

• 60% of respondents across five global markets would consider doing business in Saudi Arabia
• 52% would work there if conditions were right
• 59% are interested in visiting the Kingdom

For oil and gas operators, investors, and service providers, this matters. It means smoother pathways for talent attraction, joint ventures, and cross-border cooperation.

Saudi Arabia’s rising reputation is more than a PR win; it’s a sign of growing market confidence. As the Kingdom balances legacy production with future-focused reform, oil and gas companies have a unique window to deepen partnerships, shape the transition narrative, and tap into one of the world’s most ambitious energy markets. In a volatile geopolitical landscape, Saudi Arabia is showing that reputational strength and strategic reform can coexist, and the oil and gas world should be paying attention.