Saudi Aramco is preparing to initiate condensate exports from its Jafurah gas plant in February. The company is executing a phased development for this project, valued at over $100 billion, and has already issued multiple contracts related to the scheme.

Project Status and Initial Production

The first phase of the Jafurah gas plant, with a capacity of 450 million cubic feet per day, is complete and production has commenced. Exports are anticipated to consist of four to six 500,000-barrel cargoes of Jafurah condensate per month, starting in February. The condensate will be marketed through private negotiations, with samples expected to be provided to potential buyers by the end of the month.

Strategic Importance and Output Goals

Jafurah is a strategic priority for Aramco, central to plans for substantially increasing Saudi Arabia's natural gas production capacity by 2030. The gas output is primarily intended for domestic power generation, which will allow crude oil currently used for power to be freed up for export. By 2030, the project is expected to achieve a sustainable sales gas rate of 2 billion cubic feet per day, alongside significant volumes of ethane, natural gas liquids, and condensate. This supports a company target of an approximately 80% growth in sales gas production capacity between 2021 and 2030.

Development Phases and Contracting

The project is advancing through multiple development phases. The second phase is scheduled to come on stream by the end of 2027, with full field development due by the end of 2030. Aramco has awarded billions of dollars in contracts for the first three expansion phases, has tendered the fourth phase, and has recently initiated the fifth development phase.