December 2012, Vol. 239 No. 12

Projects

UAE May Become Energy Self-Sufficient

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon produce enough gas to become energy self-sufficient, according to a poll of oil and gas professionals conducted at the ADIPEC Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi.

81% of participants said development of new gas recovery projects will meet the UAE’s rising demand and make the country self-sufficient by 2030. By contrast, 19% of participants think the UAE will have to rely on gas imports to sustain domestic energy consumption for the next 18 years.

Though the UAE possesses an estimated 227 Tcf of natural gas, much is associated with oil production, which is controlled by OPEC quotas. The country has made a number of investments to boost gas output over recent years, including the USD $10 billion Shah Gas development project, which is expected to produce 500 MMcf/d in 2014.