(P&GJ) — Aramco has signed an $11 billion lease and leaseback agreement for midstream gas assets at its Jafurah development with a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), part of BlackRock. The deal, announced Aug. 14, marks one of the largest foreign direct investments in Saudi Arabia’s natural gas sector.
The transaction covers the Jafurah Field Gas Plant and the Riyas NGL Fractionation Facility. These assets will be leased to the newly formed Jafurah Midstream Gas Company (JMGC) for 20 years and leased back to Aramco, which will retain a 51% stake. The remaining 49% will be owned by investors led by GIP.
Aramco will receive $11 billion in upfront proceeds, with the agreement imposing no restrictions on production volumes. JMGC will collect tariffs from Aramco for processing and treating raw gas from Jafurah.
Jafurah is the Kingdom’s largest non-associated gas field, holding an estimated 229 trillion standard cubic feet of raw gas. Aramco plans to increase gas production by 60% from 2021 to 2030, positioning Jafurah as a key feedstock source for petrochemicals and emerging industries, including AI data centers.
“Jafurah is a cornerstone of our ambitious gas expansion program,” said Amin H. Nasser, Aramco president and CEO. “The GIP-led consortium’s participation demonstrates the project’s value and underscores investor confidence in our long-term strategy.”
GIP Chairman and CEO Bayo Ogunlesi said the investment supports “growing market needs for cleaner fuels, energy security and affordability” and builds on a longstanding relationship with Aramco.
The transaction, which attracted co-investors from Asia and the Middle East, is expected to close following customary approvals.