Substantial gas demand growth predicted for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman

May 23, 2000
New studies show natural gas demand for reinjection into aging oil wells and for power and industrial uses will rise substantially in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman. Total demand is expected to each 112 billion cu m in 2005.


DUBAI�New studies show natural gas demand for reinjection into aging oil wells and for power and industrial uses will rise substantially between now and 2005 in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman. Dubai's overall gas demand is expected to reach 15 billion cu m in 2005, up from 8 billion cu m in 1996, according to the UAE Offsets Group (UOG), backer of the Dolphin gas export project in the region.

Reinjection of natural gas into oil wells in Dubai is projected to more than double over a 9-year period ending in 2005. Demand for natural gas for reinjection into oil wells was 1.92 billion cu m in 1996 and is expected to rise to 4.05 billion cu m in 2005, accounting for 27% of Dubai's gas requirements.

Demand for gas for power generation and other industrial uses in Dubai will increase to 4.95 billion cu m and 6 billion cu m, respectively, in the same period, according to the UOG report.

In Abu Dhabi and Oman, gas demand is anticipated to reach 73 billion cu m and 24 billion cu m, respective, by 2005, compared with 36 billion cu m and 7 billion cu m in 1996. Reinjection into aging offshore and onshore oil concessions in Abu Dhabi will account for 45% of its total gas demand.