Iraq Among Countries With $10.5 Billion in Gas Projects

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait — Iraq is among seven countries in the Middle East and North Africa preparing gas-processing projects valued at a combined $10.5 billion, according to MEED magazine. The other countries are Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Algeria. The projects are being developed to increase regional use of natural gas, reduce gas flaring, strengthen domestic supply and support industry, the magazine reported. National oil companies are accelerating investment in gas-processing facilities, sulfur and natural gas liquids production units, pressure facilities and pipelines. Capital spending on the projects is expected to remain strong through the end of the current decade. Gulf countries are continuing large-scale gas developments, including Saudi Arabia’s estimated $100 billion Jafurah project and the UAE’s $8.2 billion rich-gas development programme.