Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Natural Gas Country Notes

Four of the seven emirates possess proved reserves of natural gas, with Abu Dhabi accounting for by far the largest share. Dubai, Ras-al-Khaimah and Sharjah are relatively insignificant in regional or global terms. Overall, the UAE accounts for about 8% of Middle East proved gas reserves.

OAPEC's published level of UAE gas reserves (6 071 bcm) is little changed from that quoted in the 2001 and 2004 Surveys. Apart from World Oil, which gives a figure of 5 820 bcm, the other main published sources (Cedigaz, Oil & Gas Journal, OPEC and BP), all quote UAE reserves within a very narrow band (6 040 - 6 071 bcm).

Two major facilities - a gas liquefaction plant on Das Island (brought on-stream in 1977) and a gas-processing plant at Ruwais (in operation from 1981) - transformed the utilisation of Abu Dhabi's gas resources. Most of the plants' output (LNG and NGLs, respectively) is shipped to Japan. In 2005, other LNG customers comprised Spain and the Republic of Korea.

Within the UAE, gas is used mainly for electricity generation/desalination, and in plants producing aluminium, cement, fertilisers and chemicals.