Long-term Aramco contract advances Jafurah’s ambitions and local energy capabilities.
Halliburton has secured a landmark long-term contract from Saudi Aramco to provide integrated stimulation and completion services for one of the Kingdom’s most ambitious energy developments, the Jafurah unconventional gas program. The award reinforces Halliburton’s strategic partnership with Aramco while supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objective of diversifying its energy portfolio through increased natural gas production.
The multi-year agreement will see Halliburton deploy advanced hydraulic fracturing, well completion, and digital technologies designed to maximize gas recovery from unconventional reservoirs. The project represents another significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s drive to become a global leader in unconventional gas production while reducing domestic reliance on crude oil for electricity generation.
Advanced Scope of Work
Under the contract, Halliburton will provide a fully integrated package of stimulation and completion services that are essential to developing unconventional shale gas reservoirs. Unlike conventional gas fields, unconventional reservoirs require sophisticated engineering techniques to unlock trapped hydrocarbons from low-permeability rock formations.
The company’s responsibilities include hydraulic fracturing (fracking), well completion services, intelligent stimulation technologies, real-time digital monitoring, and automated fracturing operations across multiple wells. Halliburton will also utilize advanced data analytics to continuously optimize production performance, improve operational efficiency, and reduce overall development costs.
A key feature of the contract is the deployment of Halliburton’s OCTIV® Auto Frac service together with its Sensori™ fracture monitoring system, creating the first fully integrated intelligent fracturing platform to be introduced in Saudi Arabia. The digital solution enables engineers to monitor fracture performance in real time, allowing immediate adjustments during operations to improve well productivity and maximize gas recovery.
Operations are scheduled to commence during the third quarter of 2026, supporting Aramco’s accelerated unconventional gas development program.
Unlocking the Potential of the Jafurah Basin
The contract centers on the development of the Jafurah Basin, widely regarded as one of the world’s largest unconventional gas resources outside North America. Stretching approximately 170 kilometers in length and covering around 17,000 square kilometers in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, Jafurah represents a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s long-term energy strategy.
Aramco estimates that Jafurah contains approximately 229 trillion cubic feet of raw gas, together with around 75 billion barrels of condensate and significant quantities of natural gas liquids. Once fully developed, the basin is expected to dramatically increase Saudi Arabia’s domestic gas production capacity.
The project plays a vital role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s transition toward cleaner energy by replacing crude oil currently used in power generation with natural gas. This shift allows more crude oil to be exported while lowering domestic carbon emissions and providing feedstock for the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding petrochemical industry.
Jafurah is also expected to supply natural gas for future hydrogen production and support the country’s growing industrial and manufacturing sectors, making it one of the most strategically important energy developments under Vision 2030.
Investing in Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Future
Beyond technology deployment, Halliburton’s contract demonstrates a long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia’s localization agenda. The company plans to expand its local manufacturing capabilities, strengthen domestic supply chains, and increase investment in Saudi-based operations to support the scale of Aramco’s unconventional gas program.
The agreement will also contribute to workforce development through specialized training, technical knowledge transfer, and employment opportunities for Saudi nationals. These initiatives align closely with the Kingdom’s In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) program, which encourages international companies to localize manufacturing, services, and expertise.
Halliburton has maintained operations in Saudi Arabia for more than 80 years, and the latest investment further strengthens its role as one of Aramco’s key technology partners. By combining advanced digital solutions with local manufacturing and workforce development, the company is helping to build a more resilient and technologically advanced energy sector.
Supporting Vision 2030
The contract represents far more than another upstream services award. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to developing unconventional gas resources using world-class technology while creating long-term economic value through localization and industrial development.
As Jafurah moves toward full production, Halliburton’s expertise in intelligent well stimulation and digital optimization will play a central role in unlocking one of the world’s largest shale gas resources. Together, the project reinforces Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a leading global gas producer while supporting energy security, economic diversification, and sustainable industrial growth.
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