Crude burn—the direct use of crude oil in power plants and industrial facilities, primarily for electricity generation—has long been a staple in Saudi Arabia’s energy mix. The kingdom burns significant volumes of oil to meet domestic electricity demand, which hovers around 171 terawatt-hours (TWh). However, analysis from Rystad Energy shows the upcoming Jafurah shale gas field, set to start production in 2025 and the largest of its kind globally, could dramatically shift this dynamic. By tapping into unconventional gas, Saudi Arabia stands to displace up to 350,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude burn by 2030. The increased gas supply would not only curb domestic crude use but also free up more oil and refined products for export, strengthening the country’s position in global energy markets.
