The Middle East is expected to remain a key centre for global gas processing capacity additions through 2030, supported by growing natural gas production, meet surging global and domestic energy demand, and large scale developments in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
The UAE is expected to remain the largest contributor to regional processing capacity additions, followed by Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Iran and Iraq are also expected to support the region’s expansion through new and planned processing facilities. Their expanding gas processing infrastructure is closely linked to growing domestic gas utilisation, LNG development, and efforts to increase the value extracted from natural gas resources.
The UAE remains the key growth engine for the region followed by Qatar, together both nations account for the majority of the Middle East's upcoming gas processing capacity. Major projects such as Bab Gas Cap. Manayif and Habshan 7 in the UAE, alongside the Ras Laffan-NFE in Qatar will drive these capacity additions during the outlook period. These projects are expected to strengthen both countries processing infrastructure and support the monetisation of their domestic gas resources.
Gas fractionation is projected to maintain its position among upcoming projects as the leading gas processing facility type in the region, followed by sweetening. Fractionation will be used for upcoming projects in Qatar, while sweetening is used for vast sour gas reserves in countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia. These plants help to treat and condition the gas for domestic use, downstream utilisation, and for global LNG exports.
Overall, the upcoming facilities in the region are expected to enhance gas processing infrastructure, with continued investment aimed at improving gas utilisation and strengthening their position in regional and international gas markets.
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