| Abdullah Al-Tariki | |
|---|---|
| 1st Saudi Oil Minister | |
| In office January 20, 1960 – March 9, 1962 |
|
| Succeeded by | Ahmed Zaki Yamani |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 9, 1918 Zulfi, Saudi Arabia |
| Died | September 7, 1997 Cairo, Egypt |
| Nationality | Saudi Arabian |
| Religion | Islam |
Abdullah ibn Hamoud al-Tariki ( Arabic: عبدالله الطريقي ) was a Saudi politician and government official. He was the first Saudi oil minister appointed by King Saud, and co-founder of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) along with Venezuelan Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonzo.[1]
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Tariki was born in 1918 in Al Zulfi (Arabic: الزلفي), a Saudi Arabian town which is located about 300 kilometers north of the capital city of Riyadh. He was the son of a camel owner who organized caravans between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.[2]
Tariki received his early education in Kuwait and in Cairo.[1] He became one of the first American-educated Saudis, and he is believed to be the first Saudi trained in both chemistry and geology. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1947, earning a masters in geology.[2]
In 1953, Tariki's work at the Saudi Directorate of Oil and Mining Affairs involved processing the petroleum production statistics provided by Aramco; and analysis summaries were then presented to the Saudi Royal Family. His responsibilities were increased when he was made Director General of Petroleum and Mineral Affairs in 1954.[2]
The Saudi Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources was created in 1960, and Tariki was appointed the first oil minister.[2] He was in charge of Sauidi oil interests from 1960 until 1962 when his views lost favor with the increasingly powerful Crown Prince, later King Faisal.[1]
In his later years, Tariki became a quiet, behind-the-scenes activist in Arab affairs.[2]
Tariki died September 7, 1997 in Cairo at age 80.[3]