The AGBI economic publication reported that despite the increase in defense spending and the reconstruction of infrastructure damaged by the war between the United States and the Islamic Republic, Gulf countries have continued to invest in the natural gas sector, and since the beginning of 2026, projects worth about $50 billion have been approved in the region.

In a report on Monday, October 17, citing analysts from the consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, the publication wrote that countries in the region have prioritized the development of domestic gas resources to ensure energy security.

According to figures from the CAMCO research group, the value of contracts in the gas sector in the third quarter of this year rose by 60% compared with the same period last year, reaching $13.5 billion.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are among the leading countries in these investments. Saudi Arabia plans to replace oil with gas in power plants by developing fields such as Jafurah and Al-Durra, and to allocate more oil for export.

Sharif Fouda, CEO of the NESR oil services company, said the war may accelerate the implementation of gas projects because countries in the region are seeking to reduce dependence on energy imports.