Gas demand reshapes priorities
31 October 2025
Commentary
Colin Foreman
Editor
Read the November issue of MEED Business Review
Gas has increasingly been regarded as a crucial transition fuel over the past decade as governments race to cut carbon emissions and meet climate pledges – including the Paris Agreement’s aim to keep warming well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
Those commitments have driven the demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) globally and this has reshaped investment priorities across the region, with Qatar, Oman and the UAE eyeing future export growth.
QatarEnergy’s North Field expansion is the largest investment. The estimated $40bn programme will push Qatar’s LNG output towards 142 million tonnes a year by the end of this decade, almost doubling its present position and consolidating its role as a market anchor.
Abu Dhabi is also committed to expanding its capacity. Its downstream strategies include a major greenfield LNG terminal at Ruwais, due to enter service in 2028 with two 4.8 million t/y trains adding 9.6 million t/y to the UAE’s export capability.
These programmes are keeping contractors busy. Over the past five years, more than $44bn of LNG-related contracts have been awarded in the region – which is more than eight times the $5.3bn recorded in the previous five year period.
At the same time, there are ample opportunities for contractors as other countries in the region build import infrastructure. Projects are already under way in Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria and Morocco – and more are expected.
With base load concerns remaining for many countries when it comes to completely switching to renewables, gas is expected to be a fuel of choice for the decades to come. The investments made in production capacity mean the region will play a pivotal role in delivering the world’s energy needs.
READ THE NOVEMBER 2025 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF
Mena players up the ante in global LNG production race; Investment takes UAE non-oil economy from strength to strength; Project finance activity draws international lenders back to market
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the November 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
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> AGENDA 1: Gulf LNG sector enters a new prolific phase
> INDUSTRY REPORT 1: Region sees evolving project finance demand
> INDUSTRY REPORT 2: Iraq leads non-GCC project finance activity
> GREEN STEEL: Abu Dhabi takes the lead in green steel transition
> DIGITISATION: Riyadh-based organisation drives digital growth
> UAE MARKET FOCUS: Investment shapes UAE growth story
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