Letter from the Middle East: Gas businesses see swift evolution
Self-sufficiency targets and opportunities to shift to renewables are driving big upsurge in gas production
The Mideast Gulf’s major NOCs and partners have invested heavily over the last decade to boost domestic gas output and avoid strained supplies. They are now seeing the fruits of those efforts. But the game has changed yet again: new gas has to dovetail with renewables and drive exports of LNG and—possibly—hydrogen. The largest projects are all in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Saudi Arabia’s electricity plans call for oil generation to be phased out and replaced with an equal mix of gas and renewables, an important step towards its 2060 net-zero carbon commitment. For conventional gas, the 1bn ft³/d (28.3mn³/d) Hawiyah gas plant should be completed in 2022 and the 2.5bn ft³/d Tanajib facility in
Also in this section
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
22 January 2026
As Saudi Arabia pushes mining as a new pillar of its economy, Saudi Aramco is positioning itself at the intersection of hydrocarbons, minerals and industrial policy
22 January 2026
New long-term deal is latest addition to country’s rapidly evolving supply portfolio as it eyes role as regional gas hub






