Saudi Aramco is aggressively advancing multiple major projects with the strategic objective of significantly increasing Saudi Arabia's natural gas production capacity by 2030. This initiative is central to the company's goal of achieving an approximately 80% growth in sales gas production capacity between 2021 and the end of the decade.

Gas Plant Expansions

The company is progressing swiftly with the tendering process for multibillion-dollar expansions of two key gas compression plants in the Eastern Province. The expansion of the Shedgum gas compression and handling facility is at the bidding stage, with four international contractors identified as key contenders: Spain’s Tecnicas Reunidas, China’s Sinopec, China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation (CPECC), and India’s Larsen & Toubro. A contract award for the Shedgum project is anticipated next year. Separately, the expansion of the Uthmaniyah gas compression plant is being managed under Saudi Arabia's national champion programme, which involves Aramco negotiating directly with a contractor. Italy’s Saipem is reportedly in talks for this project, though no final decisions have been made for either engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) package.

Jafurah Unconventional Gas Field

In parallel, Aramco has initiated the fifth development phase of its Jafurah unconventional gas project, which is the largest ongoing gas development in the Middle East. The Jafurah development is a strategic priority with a total envisaged capital expenditure exceeding $100 billion spread over multiple phases. The company has already awarded billions of dollars in contracts for the first three expansion phases. The project is on a defined timeline, with the second phase expected to commence production by the end of 2027 and full field development targeted for completion by the end of 2030.