SAUDIS *OIL-PRICES* SCENES

Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Faleh said Friday the global market has the capacity to absorb higher oil prices, drawing a swift reaction from-

US President Donald Trump who accused OPEC of inflating prices.

Faleh's statement at a meeting of oil producers in Saudi Arabia came as crude hit the highest level in more than three years.
''Looks like OPEC is at it again,'' Trump tweeted.

''With record amounts of  Oil all over the place, including the fully loaded ships at sea, Oil prices are artificially Very High! No good and will not be accepted!''

Oil has rebounded to over $70 a barrel, after prices crashed to as low as $26 in January 2016.

''I have not seen any impact on demand with current price,'' Faleh told reporters, ahead of ministerial committee for OPEC and non-OPEC producers.

''Reduced energy intensity and higher productivity globally of energy input leads me to think that there is the capacity to absorb higher prices,'' he said.

The ministerial committee said Friday that crude inventory levels have been reduced but were still  higher than desired.

Stockpiles were at 2.83 billion barrels, down from their peak of 3.12 billion barrels two years ago, it said in a statement.

Gunning for $80 billion: Analysts believe Saudi Arabia the world's top crude exporter, aims to see more much higher oil prices to overcome its domestic financial difficulties and-

Raise the valuation of state-oil-giant Aramco ahead of a planned five-percent IPO.

After prices hit $70 a barrel, the Kingdom ''is thought to be unofficially gunning for $80 a barrel, with some even suggesting that it favours a return $100 a barrel oil,'' Stephen Brennock of PVM Oil Associates said.

''As well as helping to reduce the Saudi government balance sheet, a further spike in the prices would act as a boon for impending Aramco IPO,'' Brennock said.

''This is why Saudi Arabia is intentionally keeping the supply of Oil tight,'' Commerzbank said.

Faleh on Friday insisted the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries does not have a price target for Oil.

''We never have a price target. Prices are determined by the market,'' said Faleh who warned against the danger of price fluctuations, saying ''volatility is our enemy.'' [Agencies]