Ahmed Zaki Yamani

30 June 1930 – 23 February 2021

Ahmed Zaki Yamani (1930–2021) was a Saudi Arabian lawyer and politician who served as Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources from 1962 to 1986. As a leading figure in OPEC during the 1973 oil embargo and the price shocks of the 1970s, he became one of the most widely recognised officials in the international oil industry.

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Life events

Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
30 June 1930

Born into a family of Islamic scholars and jurists in Mecca.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Graduated in law from Cairo University
1951

Completed a law degree in Egypt before continuing his studies in the United States.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Studied law at New York University and Harvard Law School
1955 – 1956

Earned a master's degree in comparative jurisprudence at NYU and a further master's at Harvard.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources
1962 – 1986

Named to the post by Crown Prince Faisal, succeeding Abdullah Tariki, and held it for nearly 24 years.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Led Saudi oil policy during the 1973 oil embargo
October 1973

Acted as the kingdom's chief spokesman as Arab OPEC members cut production and embargoed exports to the United States and other countries.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Taken hostage at the OPEC headquarters in Vienna
21 December 1975

Was among the ministers seized by a group led by Carlos the Jackal during an attack on an OPEC conference; he was released in Algiers days later.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Dismissed as oil minister by King Fahd
October 1986

Was removed from office amid disagreements over production and pricing policy during the 1986 oil price collapse.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Founded the Centre for Global Energy Studies in London
1990

Established an independent energy research organisation, which he chaired.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in London, United Kingdom
23 February 2021

Died at the age of 90 and was buried in Mecca.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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