The bid process for the next $100bn Jafurah gas development phase has officially been launched by Saudi Aramco. The process marks a major milestone in the project as production ramps up ahead of schedule. Amin Nasser, Aramco’s CEO, calls Jafurah “the jewel.” Moreover, he notes it is the heart of Saudi Arabia’s gas strategy. The field holds 229 trillion cubic feet of gas. It also contains 75 billion barrels of condensate.

Production commenced with the first phase in December 2025 and currently processes 450 million cubic feet daily. On the other hand, full capacity is expected to reach 2 billion cubic feet by 2030. The project will also produce 420 million cubic feet of ethane. Additionally, it will yield 630,000 barrels of liquids daily. These outputs strongly support Vision 2030 as advanced technology powers the project. Aramco uses “walking rigs” and hydraulic fracturing.

Furthermore, custom solutions are leveraged to treat seawater for injection. Another major project advancing is the Fadhili gas plant, a $7.4 billion gas project that is being managed by Saudi Aramco as well. The project was commissioned by Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company Aramco, valued at $6.07 billion. Additionally, this contract is the third-largest project in the history of Korean overseas construction. 

Outlook on the Jafurah Gas Development by Saudi Aramco

The Jafurah gas developmebt by Saudi Aramco has awarded various major contracts to different firms since the project’s inception. These include a $10 billion award worth of contracts during the first phase. The second added $12.4 billion more, with KEPCO recently winning a $1.4 billion power plant contract. Aramco also secured an $11 billion midstream deal with BlackRock’s GIP leading the consortium. The agreement covers gas processing facilities and operates under a 20-year leaseback model. Once fully complete, the project is expected to replace crude oil in power generation.

This will free 500,000 barrels daily for export and generate the Kingdom $12.8 billion annually. Aramco expects $12–15 billion in new cash flow by 2030. It also supports Saudi Arabia’s net-zero 2060 target. It will position the kingdom among top 10 gas producers. However, challenges persist. The ramp-up pace remains uncertain. Global LNG supply gluts may impact prices. Yet Aramco stays confident in its long-term strategy.

Project Overview

• Project Value: Over $100B
• Location: Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia
• Developer: Saudi Aramco
• Status: Phase 1 operational, Phase 2 bidding launched

Scope

• Unconventional gas development project
• 17,000 square kilometers area
• Largest unconventional gas project outside US

Project Highlights

• First production began December 2025
• Phase 1 capacity: 450 MMcf/d
• Full capacity target: 2 Bcf/d by 2030
• Major technological innovations deployed

Key Construction Facts

• Resources: 229 Tcf gas, 75B barrels condensate
• Ethane production: 420 MMcf/d by 2030
• Liquids production: 630,000 bpd by 2030
• Over 4,000 workers on site

Economic Impact

• $12–15B incremental cash flow by 2030
• $20B annual GDP contribution expected
• 500,000 bpd crude freed for export
• Significant local job creation

Outlook

• Phase 2 bidding underway
• Full production targeted for 2030
• Positions Saudi Arabia as major gas player
• Supports Vision 2030 diversification goals