Carbon capture surges in the Gulf as ambitions meet the hard science

GCC governments and NOCs are building the foundations for a new era of decarbonised energy systems that seek to balance economic growth with climate responsibility

- ABDULAZIZ KHATTAK

A QUIET transformation is underway across the Middle East's energy landscape. Beneath the familiar imagery of oilfields, gas plants and refineries, a new industry is beginning to take shape; one centred not on extracting carbon, but on capturing and storing it.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS), long discussed in policy circles as a future solution to emissions, is now being implemented across the region at unprecedented speed.

From Saudi Arabia and Oman to the UAE and Qatar, governments and national oil companies (NOCs) are building the foundations for a new era of decarbonised energy systems that seek to balance economic growth with climate responsibility.

The shift from concept to execution is now well underway. These oil-rich nations have all made CCS or CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation and storage) integral to their national strategies.

These efforts are designed not only to decarbonise domestic industries but also to create future low-carbon export opportunities.

Governments are prioritising the establishment of integrated hubs, shared infrastructure, and modular pilot projects while developing clearer regulations and cross-border cooperation frameworks that can support a viable regional carbon management ecosystem.

Currently, there are four facilities in early development, six in advanced development, five under construction, and three already in operation, bringing the overall total to 18 projects.

KSA LEADS WITH INDUSTRIAL-SCALE AMBITION

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken the regional lead with one of the world's largest CCS projects now under development.

In 2024, Aramco signed a shareholders' agreement with Linde and SLB to develop the Jubail CCS Hub, marking a decisive move toward large-scale deployment. Aramco will hold a 60 per cent stake in the project, with Linde and SLB each taking 20 per cent.