How Aramco Cracked the Jafurah Gas Code

Saudi Arabia’s Jafurah basin unlocks a massive unconventional gas play, using walking rigs and high-tech fracking to set a new Gulf template

22 May 2026

Saudi Aramco has begun commercial production at its Jafurah basin, deploying new drilling techniques that could lower costs for difficult unconventional gas projects across the Gulf region. Initial output reached 450 million cubic feet per day in December. The state-owned energy group is now expanding the project through a 12.4 billion dollar phase two contract program.

Unconventional gas resources, like those in the 17,000 square kilometer Jafurah basin, are trapped in tight rock formations and require specialized extraction methods. Aramco has utilized walking rigs, which move between drilling sites without being taken apart, to cut down on idle time.

The company also adjusted its hydraulic fracturing fluids to better suit the local carbonate rock geology. Carbonate formations are notoriously unpredictable because their natural cracks can either block or suddenly accelerate the flow of gas.

Nasir Al-Naimi, Aramco’s upstream president, stated that early well performance has been outstanding.

Alongside extraction, water management has become a central focus. At a recent industry conference in Oman, oilfield services firm National Energy Services Reunited disclosed a pilot project to treat the highly salty water produced during drilling. The initiative aims to desalinate this water for reuse and extract valuable trace minerals like lithium and bromine. If successful, mineral sales could help offset high water treatment costs in the arid region.

Industry analysts note that Aramco still faces hurdles. The company must replicate these technical successes across hundreds of planned wells to hit its production target of 2 billion cubic feet per day by 2030.

Furthermore, Jafurah's relatively expensive unconventional gas will compete directly with cheaper, conventional gas expansions in neighboring Qatar. However, the technical framework established at Jafurah provides a clear reference point for neighboring Gulf states looking to develop their own tight gas reserves.