Summary

Middle East Natural Gas

As natural gas becomes a more global commodity, transporting it by ship in liquefied form (LNG) is considered essential for its continued development as a global fuel. The Middle East is a pivotal gas supplier because of its location between the European and Asian markets, and because it accounts for almost a quarter of world LNG supplies. The region also has three waterway transport bottlenecks, which given the regional conflicts have made LNG shipping in the region more risky.

Sanctions have prevented Iran from internationalLNG exports.

South Pars/North Dome World's largest natural gasfield. Jointly owned by Iranand Qatar.

Gas pipelines, liquefaction / export facilities, Regasification / import facilities, gas storage, gas fields, operating as of 11/30/2023

Gas Reserves, Gas Production, Gas Consumption, Gas Exports (pipeline and LNG)

Middle East global, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Oman, and Other Middle East

All data from 2024. Gas Reserves = Proven gas reserves. TCM = Trillion cubic meters. BCM = Billion cubic meters. UAE = United Arab Emirates. ME = Middle East.

Member of Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). The GECF is an intergovernmental organization that gathers and disseminates information and data on the gas sector for its members. It has been referred to in the press as "gas-OPEC," as it has similarities to the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for oil.

Information prepared by Michael Ratner, Specialist in Energy Policy; Calvin DeSouza, Geospatial Information Systems Analyst; and Amber Wilhelm, Visual Information Specialist on March 3, 2026.

Sources: 1. S&P Global, "Commodity Midstream Essentials Gold Worldwide" (accessed November 30, 2023). 2. IHS (2019). 3. U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), "World Oil Transit Chokepoint," June 25, 2024. Map geography: U.S. Department of State. Gas reserves, production, consumption, and exports are from CEDIGAZ, an industry subscription database..