Saudi company Aramco has announced the start of gas production at Jafurah, the Middle East’s largest unconventional gas field, and the commencement of operations at Tanajib Gas Plant (Aramco press release, 26/02/2026).
- Jafurah is estimated to contain 229 tcf (nearly 6,500 bcm) of raw gas and 75 billion stock tank barrels of condensate. By 2030, it aims to deliver 2 bcf/d (57 mcm/d) of sales gas, 420 mcf/d (12 mcm/d) of ethane, and approximately 630,000 bbl/d of high-value liquids.
- The Tanajib project will process 2.6 bcf/d (74 mcm/d) of gas per day when it reaches full capacity later in 2026.
"This will contribute to Aramco’s plan to increase sales gas production capacity by approximately 80% by 2030, over 2021 production levels, reaching approximately 6 mboe/d of total gas and associated liquids production. This is expected to generate incremental operating cash flows of USD12bn to USD15bn in 2030, subject to future sales gas demand and liquids prices."
The country looks for alternative supplies to meet growing local electricity demand and free up crude oil for exports. According to our data, power generation in Saudi Arabia is dominated by gas (54% in 2024), followed by oil (44%) and a small share of solar and wind (2%).
The progression of electricity consumption has rebounded since 2020 (5%/year), reaching 363 TWh in 2024, after a period of stability between 2015 and 2020. Before that, it grew very rapidly because of the increasing use of air conditioning and the soaring water desalination industry (7%/year on average between 2000 and 2015). Around 80% of the electricity is consumed in buildings (Enerdata Global Energy Research).