Saudi Arabia made a significant announcement regarding the discovery of two new natural gas fields in the Eastern region and the Rub’ al Khali (Empty Quarter), with a combined flow rate reaching 34 million cubic feet per day.
Saudi Energy Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, stated that Saudi Aramco, the national petroleum and natural gas company, has discovered the “Al-Ha’ir” natural gas field.
This discovery was marked by a gas flow from the “Hanifa” reservoir in the Al-Ha’ir-1 well at a rate of 30 million cubic feet per day, along with 1,600 barrels of condensates. Additionally, gas flowed from the “Arab-J” reservoir in the same field at a rate of 3.1 million cubic feet per day.
Furthermore, the company has discovered the “Al-Mahakik” natural gas field, where gas flowed from the Al-Mahakik-2 well at a rate of 0.85 million cubic feet per day.
Aramco is leading Saudi Arabia’s efforts to become a major player in global gas production. The company is not only exploring additional fields within the kingdom but also expanding its investment internationally. This initiative aims to meet domestic gas demand and support export needs.
It is also anticipated that producing more gas will help replace oil used in power generation, leading to a larger surplus of oil for export.
Aramco aims to increase its gas production by at least 50% by 2030 compared to 2021 levels, as previously reported by Bloomberg. The company is also looking to invest more in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market.
Additionally, Aramco is seeking to expand its presence in the LNG sector through acquisitions, following its stake purchase in “Sea Ocean”, which has shares in four Australian LNG projects.
Production at the Jafurah field in Saudi Arabia is expected to start by 2025, with plans to gradually increase natural gas supplies to two billion cubic feet per day by 2030.
The Minister also mentioned the discovery of natural gas in five reservoirs in previously discovered fields. Natural gas was found in the “Al-Jilh” reservoir in the “Asikeer” field in the Empty Quarter, flowing at a rate of 46 million cubic feet per day.
Additionally, a new natural gas reservoir was discovered in the “Shedon” field west of Haradh, with natural gas flowing from the “Uneiza-A” reservoir at a rate of 15.5 million cubic feet per day and approximately 460 barrels of condensates per day.
Natural gas was also discovered in the “Uneiza B/C” reservoir in the “Muzalij” field southwest of Dhahran, with a flow rate of 14 million cubic feet per day and about 4,150 barrels of condensates daily.
Discoveries were also made in the “Sarrah” reservoir in the “Al-Wudayhi” field and the “Qusaibah” reservoir in the “Uwtaid” field southwest of Al-Hofuf, with natural gas flowing from the “Sarrah” reservoir at 11.7 million cubic feet per day and the “Qusaibah” reservoir at 5.1 million cubic feet per day, along with approximately 57 barrels of condensates daily.
