Saudi Aramco To Turn Back Some Tankers

Saudi Arabia's state oil company has informed shipping agents at the Gulf state's ports that it will turn back tankers that are not prepared for the Y2K potential computer glitch, an industry source said. Experts on Gulf oil industries say Saudi Arabia -- the world's biggest oil producer -- is the best prepared in the Gulf for Y2K. Saudi Aramco is requiring ship captains to fill out questionnaires to determine if their vessel is Y2K compliant, the industry source said. Saudi Aramco has also informed shipping agents of restrictions for tankers using the country's ports and terminals and has said that planned December crude oil lifting commitments would be met by December 31.