By: Discovery Alert

Saudi Arabia's Aramco Jafurah gas project represents the world's largest unconventional gas development outside North America, characterized by its immense scale—a $100 billion investment targeting 229 trillion cubic feet of raw gas. The project will significantly boost domestic gas supply, enabling Saudi Arabia to displace up to 500,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day currently used for power generation and free up premium crude for export. By 2030, the project aims to produce 2 billion cubic feet per day, supporting the kingdom's economic diversification under Vision 2030, enhancing regional energy security, and potentially positioning Saudi Arabia as a future LNG exporter.

The development adapts advanced North American shale technologies to the unique geological conditions of Saudi Arabia's Jurassic-age formations, employing customized drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and extensive infrastructure, including gas processing plants and a 1,500 km pipeline network. Despite technical, market, and environmental risks, the project's phased execution and capital deployment strategy—including sophisticated asset monetization agreements—are designed to deliver competitive returns while integrating into global gas markets.

Jafurah is seen as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's energy transition, reducing carbon intensity, enabling blue hydrogen production, and providing stable feedstock for industrial growth. Its full market impact will be realized progressively through the 2030s, reshaping regional and global energy dynamics.