The Shatt Al-Basra gas power plant in Basra, Iraq
MENA states sharpen their gas focus
The GCC countries and other states in the region are looking to make greater domestic use of gas, both that produced at home and imported volumes
Oman, like Qatar and the UAE, is a significant gas exporter in its own right but is also looking for domestic industry to absorb increasing volumes. In the first seven months of 2025, according to government figures, almost two-thirds of the sultanate’s consumption was focused on industrial projects, totalling 16.37bcm. In contrast, gas in power generation stood at 8.76bcm. Production reached 32.88bcm in the same period, with a 10.8% year-on-year increase in associated gas, to 7.31bcm. Export expansion is on the Muscat authorities’ agenda as Oman LNG prepares to build a new processing train at its Qalhat facility with a capacity of 3.8mt/yr, taking Oman’s total production capacity by 2029, t
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
