Saudi Aramco has awarded a contract to Halliburton for unconventional gas stimulation services, as Saudi Arabia seeks to further reduce its domestic crude oil burn, freeing barrels for export or refining. The contract, which includes major hydraulic fracturing and well intervention operations, will “further improve the economics of Saudi Aramco’s unconventional resources program,” Aramco said in a statement Sunday. The unconventional program covers three areas of the kingdom — North Arabia, South Ghawar in the eastern province and the Jafurah basin in the Rub al-Khali (Empty Quarter) in the southeast. However, the question remains over whether the unconventional gas resources are recoverable at a cost that is low enough to make production viable. “We welcome their expertise in unconventional resources, and we have great confidence in our joint ability to achieve operational and cost efficiencies for this important growth area,” Aramco CEO Amin Nasser said. The energy giant has […]