Lead Saudi Aramco has brought the Jafurah unconventional gas development into production, calling the $100‑billion project the “jewel” of its unconventional gas portfolio and the Middle East’s largest unconventional gas field. In a 26 February announcement, the national oil company confirmed Jafurah’s startup alongside the initiation of operations at the Tanajib Gas Plant and the Marjan gas plant. The moves are central to Aramco’s target of increasing sales gas production capacity by roughly 80% by 2030 versus 2021 levels and to the company’s aim of reaching about 6 million BOE/D of gas and associated liquids by 2030. Direct quote “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,” Amin Nasser, Aramco president and CEO, said in the company statement. He added, “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.” Context and details Aramco said gas began flowing into the 450 MMcf/D‑capacity Jafurah plant in December, and the wider Jafurah Basin—covering about 17,000 km²—is estimated to hold 229 Tcf of raw gas and 75 billion STB of condensate. By 2030 the development is expected to deliver roughly 2 Bcf/D of sales gas, 420 MMscf/D of ethane and approximately 630,000 B/D of natural gas liquids (NGLs). The Jafurah development targets the tight, carbonate‑dominated Tuwaiq Mountain formation, located south of Aramco’s Dhahran headquarters and east of the Ghawar field. Aramco said it has applied advanced drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies to reduce well costs and boost productivity, and highlighted collaboration with National Energy Services Reunited (NESR) on produced‑water recycling pilots at Jafurah. NESR said one initiative will treat and desalin…