Old flames rekindled

A QUARTER of a century ago, Saudi Arabia divorced the foreign firms that had helped to build its oil industry, gaining full custody of the world's richest oilfields. Now, squeezed by the cost of a growing population, the kingdom is welcoming some old partners back. Agreements signed on June 3rd will open three Ireland-sized chunks of virgin desert to international consortia, allowing them to tap and use whatever natural gas they find.