Power plant in Dubai
Mideast states power up their gas priorities
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar are ploughing resources into gas—with a growing eye on facilitating domestic use in power and value-added sectors
Natural gas has moved to the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s energy policy as policymakers look to end the inefficient and financially wasteful burning of crude oil in its power generation system by replacing it with domestically produced gas. Under its Vision 2030 programme, Saudi Arabia is looking at a 50/50 split in future power sector use between gas and low-carbon energy sources. That would remove more than 1m b/d of liquids consumed in its power system, freeing up more crude for export. It would also limit the peak summer season increase in high-sulphur fuel oil consumption. Joint Organizations Data Initiative statistics show that direct oil burn averaged 943,000b/d in H1 2025, which remai
Also in this section
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026
1 December 2025
The North African producer’s first bidding round in almost two decades is an important milestone but the recent extension suggests a degree of trepidation
