Newsletters | Request Trial | Log in | Advertise | Digital Issue   |   Search
  • Upstream
  • Midstream & Downstream
  • Gas & LNG
  • Trading & Markets
  • Corporate & Finance
  • Geopolitics
  • Podcasts
Search
Related Articles
Qatar’s Golden Pass dilemma
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
Libya's potential goes unrealised
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
Letter from London: The oil market should panic tomorrow
Emergency oil stocks provide a last line of defence to oil market shocks, so the IEA’s unprecedented 400m bl release represents something of a double-edged sword
Letter from Dubai: A safe haven under fire
Missiles over Dubai and disruption in Hormuz are testing the emirate’s reputation—and shaking the energy hub at the centre of the Gulf economy
The diesel crisis
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
Explainer: Fujairah on high alert
With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed following US-Israel strikes and Iran’s retaliatory escalation, Fujairah has become the region’s critical pressure release valve—and is now under serious threat
Middle East oil vulnerabilities have been exposed
The killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in US–Israeli strikes marks the most serious escalation in the region in decades and a bigger potential threat to the oil market than the start of the Russia-Ukraine crisis
How Hormuz chokehold threatens LNG buyers
A potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the escalating US-Iran conflict risks disrupting Qatari LNG exports that underpin global gas markets, exposing Asia and other markets to sharp price spikes, cargo shortages and renewed reliance on dirtier fuels
Letter from the Middle East: Aramco provides big global gas reveal
The Saudi energy leader’s announcement of first production at Jafurah and the launch of operations at the Tanajib Gas Plant marks a turning point not just for the company, but for the world’s energy landscape
Letter from Iran: Testing times for Tehran-Beijing crude dynamics
Growing pressure from the Trump administration continues to threaten a resilient China-Iran oil nexus
Growth is on the agenda in the Middle East
Opinion
Covid-19 Opec Iran Iraq Kurdistan Libya Qatar Saudi Arabia UAE
Patricia Tiller
27 May 2021
Follow @PetroleumEcon
Forward article link
Share PDF with colleagues

Letter from the Middle East: Green shoots of recovery

There are many reasons to be cheerful across the Mena oil and gas patch

The hard times of 2020 are behind many oil and gas companies in the Mena region, with exploration increasing and projects stalled by the impact of Covid-19 regaining momentum. In a further sign of recovery, nearly $60bn in upstream opportunities is set to come to market this year. Saudi Arabia has consolidated its position as the world’s largest oil exporter, and the normalisation of ties with Qatar and its Gulf Cooperation Council neighbours has led to further economic growth in the Kingdom. As easing Opec+ cuts take effect, Saudi Aramco looks set to embark on a revamped strategy to increase gas production and commit to further gas-to-power projects in order to free up more oil for export.

Also in this section
Qatar’s Golden Pass dilemma
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
The demand destruction timebomb
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
Lessons from the crisis
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
Libya's potential goes unrealised
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally

Share PDF with colleagues

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: PDF sharing is permitted internally for Petroleum Economist Gold Members only. Usage of this PDF is restricted by <%= If(IsLoggedIn, User.CompanyName, "")%>’s agreement with Petroleum Economist – exceeding the terms of your licence by forwarding outside of the company or placing on any external network is considered a breach of copyright. Such instances are punishable by fines of up to US$1,500 per infringement
Send

Forward article Link

Send
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Project Data
Maps
Podcasts
Social Links
Featured Video
Home
  • About us
  • Subscribe
  • Reaching your audience
  • PE Store
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact us
  • Privacy statement
  • Cookies
  • Sitemap
All material subject to strictly enforced copyright laws © 2025 The Petroleum Economist Ltd
Cookie Settings
;

Search