Saudi Arabia is economic time bomb. They want to sell because they need the money.

Saudis have been running budget deficits 4 - 5 percent of the GDP year after year. Deficit might hit 7 percent this year. Saudi Aramco is a profit machine but the population is now over 30 million and the country if full of unemployment and bullshit jobs.

Cutting spending may not be politically possible because it's buying peace. Official unemployment rate is less than 15% but it's estimated that only less than half of working-age Saudis hold jobs or actively seek work. Foreign exchange funds provide buffers but their net foreign assets are gradually eaten away if oil price don't recover.

Probably because in 10-15 years time an oil company won't be able raise any significant amount of money. Major investors have already started divesting from fossil fuels.

If they're smart, the money will be invested in creating the post-oil economy SA will need. They could keep on being an important energy exporter, sunlight is very abundant there after all.

Same as WeWork, offload the risk to the public now that the major profits have been taken.

Cash in now so that it doesn't become a stranded asset in the future.