Saudi Aramco plans production of 5.6mn cubic metres per day of unconventional natural gas by 2018 for supply to a new phosphate project and a power plant in the kingdom
According to a company source, 1.13mn cubic metres of gas per day would go to the phosphate project of Waad al Shamal, while 4.5mn cubic metres of gas per day will be used by the Saudi Electricity Company for a power plant.
Ali Al Naimi, oil minister of Saudi Arabia, said, “The kingdom has estimated unconventional gas reserves of more than 16 trillion cubic metres, more than double its proven conventional reserves.”
By developing gas for power generation, Saudi Arabia aims to save more of its crude oil for export, the minister added.
The state-owned company is also exploring for gas in the south of Ghawar, the northwest and Jafurah, which lies between Al Ahsa and Qatar.
