Saudi Aramco will have a crucial decision to make early next year: Cut its $31 billion quarterly dividend and risk worsening the kingdom’s budget deficit, or keep borrowing to maintain the payout.

Saudi oil giant Aramco on Tuesday reported a 15.4% drop in third-quarter profit due to lower crude prices and weaker refining margins but still maintained its generous dividend at $31.1 billion for the quarter.

Saudi state oil giant Aramco reported a 15.4% drop in net profit in the third-quarter on the back of "lower crude oil prices and weakening refining margins," but maintained a 31.05 billion dividend. Aramco's dividend includes a base payout of $20.

Saudi Arabia’s oil giant Aramco kept up its $31 billion dividend to help feed state coffers, despite rising debt.Most Read from BloombergFrom Housing to Immigration, Key Ballot Initiatives and Local Races to FollowParis Restricts Through Traffic in City CenterIstanbul Tries Free Public Transit to Help Job SeekersThe Answer To Making Cities More Family-Friendly?

Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco has reported third-quarter profits of $27.5 billion, down about 15% from last year as low oil prices ate into its revenues.

The oil company said lower oil prices and refining margins pushed down profit, adding it plans to pay dividends of $31.05 billion.

Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company by production and market value, reported on Tuesday a 15.4% annual decline in third-quarter earnings, due to lower oil prices and weaker refining margins,

Saudi Aramco’s Q3 profit fell 15.4% to $27.6 billion due to lower oil prices, yet it maintained a $31.1 billion dividend, backing Vision 2030 and economic stability.

Energy giant Saudi Aramco reported a 15 percent year-on-year drop in third quarter profit on Tuesday, citing prices which have stayed low despite production cuts and war in the Middle East.Yet despite lower production,