I think the Crown prince want to diversify the Economic resources, with the help of U.A.E and Qatar models. As well as he wants to tightens his grip on State machinery. This should be seen their tensions with Iran and possibly open diplomatic love with the Israel. These reforms would take 10-15 years to gave positive image to the world.
In the long run I think these reforms are not like glasnost and perestroika that can became danger for the house of Al-Saud.