Letter from the Middle East: Green shoots of recovery
There are many reasons to be cheerful across the Mena oil and gas patch
The hard times of 2020 are behind many oil and gas companies in the Mena region, with exploration increasing and projects stalled by the impact of Covid-19 regaining momentum. In a further sign of recovery, nearly $60bn in upstream opportunities is set to come to market this year. Saudi Arabia has consolidated its position as the world’s largest oil exporter, and the normalisation of ties with Qatar and its Gulf Cooperation Council neighbours has led to further economic growth in the Kingdom. As easing Opec+ cuts take effect, Saudi Aramco looks set to embark on a revamped strategy to increase gas production and commit to further gas-to-power projects in order to free up more oil for export.
Also in this section
28 April 2026
Oil traders warning of $200/bl oil are wrong, and the market should be wary of proclamations that the impact of the oil shortage has only begun to be felt and a that a ‘harsh adjustment’ is coming—even for industrialised nations
28 April 2026
Restoring supply from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq involves complexities far beyond simply adjusting operational controls
28 April 2026
Datacentres will guzzle power at a ferocious rate, but the impact on wider energy markets will be far more complex than previously thought
28 April 2026
The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security






