Middle East: Saudis lead the charge
The kingdom should emerge as the region's first major shale gas producer. But not quickly
Saudi Arabia is seeking to tap a significant unconventional gas potential, estimated by US oilfield services firm Baker Hughes at 645 trillion cubic feet (cf), or more than double its conventional reserves of 284.8 trillion cf. But the kingdom's energy strategists are making slow progress in realising this potential. The big service players have all made a beeline for the kingdom. In 2010, Schlumberger, Halliburton and Baker Hughes were invited by the Saudis to share their shale gas expertise and all three have subsequently established research centres in the kingdom, attempting to match their technology to the specifics of Saudi geology. State oil company Saudi Aramco worked with Hallib
Also in this section
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
22 January 2026
As Saudi Arabia pushes mining as a new pillar of its economy, Saudi Aramco is positioning itself at the intersection of hydrocarbons, minerals and industrial policy
22 January 2026
New long-term deal is latest addition to country’s rapidly evolving supply portfolio as it eyes role as regional gas hub
