The milestone, highlighted in Saudi Arabia’s 2026 budget statement, marks a key step in what is expected to be one of the world’s largest shale gas projects outside the United States. The full Jafurah facility is projected to reach 2 billion cubic feet per day by 2030, underscoring Aramco’s ambitions to expand its natural gas footprint and diversify its energy portfolio.
Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, who has described Jafurah as a “crown jewel” in the company’s portfolio, had previously indicated that the first phase was on track for completion by the end of 2025. The project, valued at $100 billion, is estimated to hold 229 trillion standard cubic feet of raw gas and is pivotal in freeing crude oil for export, which is currently consumed domestically for power generation.
Earlier this year, Aramco raised $11 billion through a lease and leaseback agreement for the Jafurah gas processing facilities with a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners, affiliated with BlackRock. The move is part of a broader strategy to secure funding for the mega-project while boosting production capacity.
The Jafurah gas project represents a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s long-term energy strategy, combining shale gas development with plans to increase the kingdom’s role in the global natural gas market. Aramco declined to comment further on the announcement.