Middle East burying head in the sand on decommissioning
The Middle East is yet to fully plan for its decommissioning future
Decommissioning globally is set to expand rapidly as decades-old infrastructure comes to the end of its productive life. While the Middle East has largely escaped the wave of decommissioning that has hit the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico, this could soon be about to change. The Gulf is now one of the most prominent future hot spots in the industry. By 2038, more than 1,000 structures and 3,000 wells will be more than 30 years old, a report on offshore decommissioning by the Boston Consulting Group identified. The international push for countries to transition to a low-carbon economy may also hasten the need for decommissioning and the introduction of standards and legislation. The UAE, Saudi
Also in this section
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
10 March 2026
Eni’s director for global gas and LNG portfolio, Cristian Signoretto, discusses how demand will respond to rising LNG supply, and how the company is expanding its own gas and LNG operations through disciplined, capital-efficient investments
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent
