DUBAI: Saudi Aramco is expected to open the books for its debut international bond issue later on Monday, sources familiar with the matter said.

Aramco did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The deal will close on Wednesday, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said separately at an event in Riyadh. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL8N21Q13I

Demand for the paper has already exceeded $30 billion, he said.

(Reporting by Davide Barbuscia and Hadeel Al Sayegh; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) ((Davide.Barbuscia@thomsonreuters.com; +971522604297; Reuters Messaging: davide.barbuscia.reuters.com@reuters.net))