Saudi Arabia discovers new natural gas fields in Empty Quarter

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Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz said that the kingdom has discovered two new natural gas fields in the Empty Quarter region.

Prince Abdulaziz said the discovery of the Al-Hiran natural gas field was confirmed after gas flowed from the Hanifa reservoir in the Al-Hiran – 1 well, at a rate of 30 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) and 1,600 barrels of condensates daily (bcpd), according to state news agency, Saudi Press Agency.

Furthermore, gas flowed from the Al-’Arab – C reservoir in the same field at a rate of 3.1 mmscfd. The discovery of the Al-Mahakik natural gas field was confirmed after gas flowed from the Al-Mahakik – 2 well, at a rate of 0.85 mmscfd.

Minister of Energy Announces Discoveries of Natural Gas in the Eastern Province and the Empty Quarter.https://t.co/TvytEUw5gA#SPAGOV pic.twitter.com/VQVPMrk5Tt

— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) November 19, 2023

“Natural gas was also discovered in five reservoirs in previously discovered fields,” the state news agency said.

It was discovered in the Jallah reservoir in the ‘Usaikerak field in the Empty Quarter, after gas flowed at a rate of 46 mmscfd, in addition to discovering an additional natural gas reservoir in Shadoun field, west of Haradh, after gas flowed from ‘Unayzah – A reservoir, at a rate of 15.5 mmscfd, with about 460 bcpd.

Saudi Arabia also discovered natural gas in ‘Unayzah B/C reservoirs in Mazalij field, southwest of Dhahran, where gas flowed at a rate of 14 mmscfd, with about 4,150 bcpd, and in the Al-Sarah reservoir in Al-Wadhihi field and Al-Qusaibah reservoir in Awtad field, southwest of Hofuf city, where natural gas flowed at a rate of 11.7 mmscfd and 5.1 mmscfd, respectively, with about 57 bcpd.

Saudi Arabia boosts gas production

Meanwhile, Aramco produced the first unconventional tight gas from its South Ghawar operational area two months ahead of schedule as Saudi Arabia seeks to boost its gas production.

The state-owned energy firm said the development supports its strategy to increase gas production by more than 50 per cent, over 2021 levels, through 2030.

Commissioned facilities at South Ghawar can process 300 million standard cubic feet per day (scfd) of raw gas and 38,000 barrels per day (bpd) of condensate.

Saudi Arabia will continue its work to more than double the overall processing capacity to deliver 750 mmscfd of raw gas from South Ghawar.

It said work is progressing at the Jafurah unconventional gas field, which is the largest liquid-rich shale gas play in the Middle East.

The company is expanding its portfolio into liquefied natural gas (LNG) at a time when global demand for the fuel has surged, particularly in Europe which is replacing reduced pipeline supplies from Russia.

Aramco forayed into the global LNG with the acquisition of a minority stake in EIG Partners’ MidOcean Energy in a deal that was valued at $500m in September. It has the option to increase its shareholding and associated rights in MidOcean in the future.

Read: Saudi Aramco produces first unconventional gas at South Ghawar