February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

Natural gas reserves are estimated volumes of gaseous hydrocarbons that geological and engineering assessments confirm can be commercially recovered from known subsurface formations. Like oil reserves, they are classified as proven, probable, and possible. Natural gas is used for electricity generation, industrial processes, petrochemical feedstock, and increasingly as a transition fuel in decarbonization strategies due to its lower carbon intensity compared to coal and oil.

UAE Context

The UAE holds the world’s seventh largest proven natural gas reserves at approximately 215 trillion cubic feet, predominantly located in Abu Dhabi. Despite these substantial reserves, the UAE has historically been a net importer of natural gas due to high domestic demand for power generation, desalination, and industrial use. The Dolphin Gas Project, which imports Qatari gas, supplements domestic production. ADNOC has invested heavily in developing sour gas fields such as Shah and Bab through its integrated gas strategy, aiming to achieve gas self-sufficiency and eventually become a net gas exporter. The Ruwais LNG project signals the UAE’s ambition to enter global liquefied natural gas export markets.

Key Data

  • Proven reserves: Approximately 215 trillion cubic feet
  • Global ranking: Seventh largest proven natural gas reserves
  • Key challenge: Historically a net gas importer despite large reserves
  • Major developments: Shah Gas, Bab Gas, Hail and Ghasha sour gas projects
  • Strategic goal: Transition from net importer to net exporter

Significance for Vision 2031

Natural gas development supports the UAE’s Vision 2031 by providing cleaner energy for domestic consumption, feedstock for petrochemical diversification, and potential export revenue. Achieving gas self-sufficiency reduces the economic cost of energy imports and supports the energy transition as a bridge fuel alongside renewable energy expansion. The gas strategy aligns with broader goals of maximizing hydrocarbon value while transitioning toward sustainability.

  • Oil Reserves - The UAE’s complementary crude oil assets
  • ADNOC - Abu Dhabi’s national oil and gas operator
  • Petrochemicals - Downstream products from gas feedstock
  • CleanTech - Clean energy and environmental technology