Natural gas processing capacity to witness significant growth in Middle East

Natural gas processing capacity is witnessing significant growth in the Middle East, driven by a combination of factors, including increasing global energy demand, the shift towards cleaner energy sources, and abundant natural gas reserves. This capacity growth helps the region in reducing reliance on oil revenues, increasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) liquefaction capacity, and meeting the growing gas demand from various domestic industries, including power generation and petrochemicals. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are at the forefront of this expansion, investing heavily in gas processing capacity to diversify their economies and enhance energy security.

Within the Middle East, Saudi Arabia leads, accounting for nearly 40% or 7.2 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) of the region’s capacity additions by 2030. Notable gas processing plants such as Tanajib and Jafurah Phase II are set to contribute significant capacity increases during the outlook period.

The Tanajib gas processing plant is slated to become operational in 2027 and is expected to add a capacity of 2.6bcfd. The Jafurah Phase II is expected to add 2.0bcfd of capacity. Saudi Arabian Oil Co is the operator and total equity owner of both these projects.

Qatar stands second, accounting for 4.6bcfd, or a quarter of the region’s capacity additions by 2030, stemming solely from the Ras Laffan-NFE gas processing plant. QatarEnergy LNG serves as the operator, and QatarEnergy holds full equity in this project, which is scheduled to begin operations this year.

Gas processing capacity additions in the Middle East by key countries, 2025–2030

Source: Midstream Analytics, Gas processing Database, GlobalData Oil and Gas.

The UAE follows with a planned and announced capacity additions of 2.4bcfd by 2030. Bab Gas Cap is a major gas processing plant in the country, and is expected to add 1.9bcfd of capacity by 2030. Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Limited is the operator, while Abu Dhabi National Oil Co is the equity owner of this dehydration plant, which is slated to come online in 2027.

Further details of global gas processing capacity and capex analysis can be found in GlobalData’s new report, ‘Gas Processing Industry Outlook by Capacity and Capital Expenditure with Details of All Operating and Planned Processing Plants to 2030‘.