The Ministry of Energy announced today the start of the qualification phase for applicants to compete in establishing, owning, and operating compressed natural gas distribution projects via tankers in the Riyadh region and the Eastern Province.
The ministry invited interested parties to enter the competitions to contact them via email to obtain the qualification booklet, no later than 3 Muharram 1448 AH, corresponding to June 18, 2026, noting that the last date for receiving qualification documents is 16 Safar 1448 AH, corresponding to July 30, 2026.
The launch of these competitions is part of the ministry’s efforts to enhance the natural gas sector’s infrastructure, improve service quality, and contribute to creating an attractive competitive environment in this vital field.
These competitions represent an extension of ongoing efforts to develop and expand the sector’s services and enhance the use of technology to facilitate access to natural gas. This will, God willing, contribute to displacing liquid fuel and support replacing it with natural gas, within the framework of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, aiming to enhance the economic, environmental, and social benefits of petroleum resources.
Riyadh region
The Riyadh region is the historical and political heart of Saudi Arabia, centered around the capital city of Riyadh. Its history is deeply tied to the rise of the House of Saud, with the region serving as the birthplace of the first and third Saudi states and the site where King Abdulaziz recaptured the city in 1902. Today, it is a rapidly modernizing hub that blends ancient heritage, such as the Diriyah UNESCO site, with futuristic urban development.
Eastern Province
The Eastern Province is a key region in Saudi Arabia, known for its vast oil reserves and as the historical heart of the country’s petroleum industry. Its capital, Dammam, along with cities like Dhahran and Al-Khobar, form a major industrial and commercial hub. Historically, the area has been inhabited for millennia, with ancient trade routes and settlements, but its modern significance surged after the discovery of oil in the 1930s.
Diriyah UNESCO site
Diriyah, located on the outskirts of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a historic UNESCO World Heritage site known as the birthplace of the first Saudi state. Founded in the 15th century, it became a thriving center of culture and politics in the 18th century under the Al Saud dynasty, before being largely destroyed in 1818. Today, the restored mud-brick ruins of At-Turaif district offer a glimpse into its rich heritage, highlighting its role as a symbol of Saudi unification and cultural identity.
Riyadh region
The Riyadh region, located in the heart of Saudi Arabia, is a historically significant area that was once a collection of small walled towns and oases. It rose to prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries as a stronghold of the Al Saud dynasty, becoming the capital of the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932. Today, the region blends its deep-rooted heritage, seen in sites like Diriyah, with rapid modernization as a global economic and cultural hub.
Eastern Province
The Eastern Province is the largest province in Saudi Arabia, located along the Arabian Gulf coast and known for its vast oil reserves, which were first discovered in the 1930s. Historically, it has been a key region for trade and pearl diving, and today it hosts major industrial cities like Dammam, Dhahran, and Al Khobar. The province also features important cultural and historical sites, such as the ancient Al-Ahsa Oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a history spanning thousands of years.
Dammam
Dammam is a major city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and serves as the capital of the province. Historically, it was a small fishing village before the discovery of oil in the 1930s, which transformed it into a vital administrative and industrial hub. Today, Dammam is known for its modern port, the King Fahd Causeway linking it to Bahrain, and its role as a center for the country’s oil and gas industry.
Dhahran
Dhahran is a city in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, best known as the headquarters of the Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco). Its modern history began in the 1930s when oil was discovered nearby, transforming a small desert settlement into a major global energy hub. Today, Dhahran is a planned, expatriate-friendly community with research facilities, universities, and the historic Well No. 7, the site of the first commercial oil strike in the region.
Al-Khobar
Al-Khobar is a major city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, located on the Persian Gulf coast. Originally a small fishing village, it rapidly developed in the 20th century following the discovery of oil, becoming a key commercial and residential hub. Today, Al-Khobar is known for its modern waterfront, the historic King Saud Bridge connecting it to Bahrain, and its role as part of the Dammam metropolitan area.
