Saudi Arabia remains committed to becoming a gas exporter says Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud. Speaking on 16 February, the minister said “you will soon hear about the ability of the kingdom to be a gas exporter and a petrochemical exporter.” But with no further details provided and a substantial gas shortage, it’s difficult to see exports starting any time soon.

Gas shortages mean that Saudi Arabia burns an annual average of some 900,000 b/d crude oil and fuel oil for desalination and power generation (MEES, 21 February). Saudi Arabia’s power plants have capacity of more than 85GW, while peak load is typically around 62GW. (CONTINUED - 714 WORDS)