Blow for Saudi gas plans as Total withdraws

摘要

Saudi Arabia's much-delayed gas development programme has received a further setback from the withdrawal of Total from an international joint-venture drilling in the Rub' al-Khali in the south of the country. The Rub' al-Khali, also known as 'The Empty Quarter' was thought to contain enormous reserves of gas and was seen as forming a major part in Saudi Arabia's plans to expand its gas industry. Saudi Arabia produces 7.2 bn cfd of gas (see Table I). This makes it the world's ninth-largest producer, accounting for just 2.5% of world output. On the other hand, the kingdom claims some 4.1% of global proven reserves, with a total of 253 trillion cf, putting it in fourth place in global terms.