Saudi Arabia has plans to build a nationwide gas pipeline network as a public-private venture to supply gas for the domestic market
According to local reports, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, and Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority have completed a study on the project, which is expected to be approved by Shura Council, the advisory body of Saudi Arabia.
“Shura will vote on the project in July before it is presented to the King. This is an important project to develop the massive gas sector in the Kingdom,” said Fahd bin Jumma, deputy chairman of Shura Council’s economy and energy committee.
He said that the project would first target large cities and would be executed in several stages as a joint venture between the public and private sectors. “It will be extended to remote areas at a later stage and foreign contractors could be invited to participate.”
Saudi Arabia, with a population of around 30mn, is the largest gas consumer in the Middle East and controls nearly 8.5 trillion cu/m of natural gas resources, the sixth largest in the world, according to official data.
