Saudi Aramco has marked a significant milestone in its ambitious gas expansion strategy with the start of production at the Jafurah field—recognized as the Middle East’s largest unconventional gas reserve—and the commencement of operations at the Tanajib Gas Plant, one of the world’s largest gas processing facilities. Together, these projects reinforce Aramco’s long-term plan to expand its gas portfolio, strengthen domestic energy supply, and enhance shareholder value.
Driving an 80% Increase in Sales Gas Capacity by 2030
As part of its strategic roadmap, Aramco aims to increase its sales gas production capacity by approximately 80% by 2030, compared to 2021 levels. The company expects to reach nearly 6 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) of total gas and associated liquids production.
Importantly, this expansion is projected to generate incremental operating cash flows of $12–15 billion by 2030, depending on future gas demand and liquids prices. By scaling production at Jafurah and boosting processing capacity at Tanajib, Aramco is positioning gas as a central pillar of its growth strategy.
Leadership Perspective: Gas at the Core of Growth
Amin H. Nasser, President and CEO of Saudi Aramco, emphasized, “Jafurah and Tanajib significantly strengthen Aramco’s gas portfolio and expand our capacity at scale. These projects are a major step forward for our company and for the Kingdom’s energy future. Gas is central to our long-term growth strategy. It is expected to generate substantial earnings, meet rising domestic demand, support development across key sectors, and deliver significant volumes of high-value liquids.” He further acknowledged the continued leadership and support of the Ministry of Energy in advancing these landmark projects.
Jafurah: Unlocking the Middle East’s Largest Unconventional Gas Field
Spanning approximately 17,000 square kilometers, Jafurah is estimated to contain:
*229 trillion standard cubic feet (scf) of raw gas
*75 billion stock tank barrels of condensate
Aramco began producing its first unconventional shale gas from Jafurah in December 2025. Notably, advanced drilling and stimulation technologies played a pivotal role in unlocking the field’s potential. By leveraging digital solutions and operational efficiencies, the company has lowered drilling costs, improved well productivity, and enhanced overall project economics.
By 2030, Jafurah is expected to deliver:
*2 billion scf of sales gas per day
*420 million scf of ethane per day
*Approximately 630,000 barrels per day of high-value liquids
Beyond boosting energy output, Jafurah is set to support Saudi Arabia’s broader economic ambitions. It will fuel growth in sectors such as energy-intensive industries, petrochemicals, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. Furthermore, the project strengthens the Kingdom’s position among the world’s top 10 gas producers.
Tanajib Gas Plant: Expanding Processing and Diversification
Complementing upstream expansion, the Tanajib Gas Plant significantly enhances Aramco’s gas processing capabilities. Operations began in December 2025, and the facility is expected to reach a raw gas processing capacity of 2.6 billion scf per day by 2026. Strategically, Tanajib supports Aramco’s objective to diversify its energy product portfolio while enabling long-term economic growth.
The plant processes associated gas from crude oil production at the offshore Marjan and Zuluf fields. Its launch coincided with the start of production at the Marjan crude oil increment, further integrating upstream and midstream operations.
Strengthening Aramco’s Long-Term Value Proposition
As reported by economymiddleeast.com, by bringing Jafurah and Tanajib online, Saudi Aramco not only accelerates its gas expansion strategy but also reinforces its financial resilience and portfolio diversification. Gas is increasingly central to the company’s future—supporting domestic energy transition efforts, enabling industrial development, and generating high-value liquids for global markets. Collectively, these investments strengthen Aramco’s operational scale, expand earnings potential, and position the company to deliver sustained value to shareholders while supporting the Kingdom’s long-term energy security and economic transformation.
