Special to WorldTribune.com

LONDON — A Western energy major has ended a natural gas project in Saudi Arabia.

Royal Dutch Shell said it was withdrawing from the Saudi gas project in Kidan, located in the so-called Empty Quarter.

Shell, the fourth Western company to abandon Kidan, did not cite a reason.

“Shell has decided to end further investment in the Kidan development,”
Shell said.

“This was a difficult decision, but Shell remains committed to the kingdom and we are keen to grow our investments, both in upstream and downstream.”

Kidan was said to contain a large reserve of sour gas, which requires additional treatment.

Shell has remained in partnership with Saudi Aramco in the development of gas reserves at South Rub Khali.

  Kidan, Royal Dutch Shell, Shell is fourth Western major to pull out from Saudi gas project, South Rub Khali