Saudi Arabia Announces Discoveries of Natural Gas in Eastern Province, Empty Quarter

Gas pipelines are seen in the Kingdom. Photo: Aramco website
Gas pipelines are seen in the Kingdom. Photo: Aramco website
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Saudi Arabia Announces Discoveries of Natural Gas in Eastern Province, Empty Quarter

Gas pipelines are seen in the Kingdom. Photo: Aramco website
Gas pipelines are seen in the Kingdom. Photo: Aramco website

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz announced that Saudi Aramco has discovered two natural gas fields in the Empty Quarter: Al-Hiran and Al-Mahakik natural gas fields.

The discovery of Al-Hiran natural gas field was confirmed after gas flowed from Hanifa reservoir in the Al-Hiran – 1 well, at a rate of 30 Million standard cubic feet (MMSCF), and 1,600 Barrel of Condensates daily (BCPD), and from the Al-’Arab – C reservoir in the same field at a rate of 3.1 MMSCFD.
On the other hand, the discovery of Al-Mahakik natural gas field was confirmed after gas flowed from the Al-Mahakik – 2 well, at a rate of 0.85 MMSCFD.
Furthermore, Natural gas was also discovered in five reservoirs in previously discovered fields. It was discovered in the Jallah reservoir in the ‘Usaikerak field in the Empty Quarter, after gas flowed at a rate of 46 MMSCFD, in addition to discovering an additional natural gas reservoir in Shadoun field, west of Haradh, after gas flowed from ‘Unayzah – A reservoir, at a rate of 15.5 MMSCFD, with about 460 BCPD.
Natural gas was also discovered in ‘Unayzah B/C reservoirs in Mazalij field, southwest of Dhahran, where gas flowed at a rate of 14 MMSCFD, with about 4,150 BCPD, and in Al-Sarah reservoir in Al-Wadhihi field and Al-Qusaibah reservoir in Awtad field, southwest of Hofuf city, where natural gas flowed at a rate of 11.7 MMSCFD and 5.1 MMSCFD, respectively, with about 57 BCPD.



Saudi Arabia Assumes WTO General Council Presidency for 2025–2026

The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. (SPA)
The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Assumes WTO General Council Presidency for 2025–2026

The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. (SPA)
The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. (SPA)

The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. In a historic milestone, Al-Moqbel becomes the first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to assume this position, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday.

The WTO General Council, which convenes throughout the year, oversees the organization’s operations between ministerial conferences, held biennially. As the highest decision-making body at the level of heads of missions, the council plays a crucial role in shaping global trade policies.

During Saudi Arabia's presidency, the General Council is set to address several key issues, including preparations for the 14th Ministerial Conference, scheduled to be held in Cameroon in March 2026.

The agenda will also focus on essential WTO reforms, particularly the dispute settlement mechanism; advancing negotiations on the second phase of the Fisheries Subsidy Agreement; and addressing agriculture, food security, and development concerns.

Other priorities include integrating multilateral agreements, such as the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and the E-Commerce Agreement, into the WTO framework.

Commenting on the appointment, Al-Moqbel emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the WTO General Council reflects its growing role in the international economic landscape, leveraging its global economic influence to strengthen multilateral trade cooperation.