Answer extracted from the Beyond the Deck podcast — listen to the full episode below.
What advantage do GCC countries have in developing CCUS technology compared to other regions?
Countries with a long history in hydrocarbon sectors—particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE—have decisive structural advantages in CCUS technology: they possess existing upstream expertise with similar technologies, deep knowledge of subsurface geology from decades of oil and gas operations, established investment capacity, and a proven track record in executing large-scale energy projects safely and reliably.
Built-in expertise from the hydrocarbon sector
The transition to CCUS is not starting from zero in the GCC. The technical skills developed in oil and gas extraction transfer directly to carbon capture and sequestration work. Teams already familiar with drilling, subsurface pressure management, and long-term reservoir operations find CCUS technology operationally natural.
This accumulated knowledge matters across the entire value chain. As Carmen Hamze explains in the podcast, GCC operators understand both the geological formations where carbon can be safely stored and the technical systems needed to monitor storage integrity over decades.
Investment capacity and demonstrated execution
Established sovereign wealth funds and energy companies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE have the capital and governance structures to finance large-scale CCUS infrastructure without the funding delays that slow development elsewhere.
Beyond money, these countries bring institutional trust. Investors and technology partners already know how GCC national energy companies operate, their project timelines, their safety records, and their ability to deliver on commitments. That track record accelerates both financing and technology deployment in ways new entrants cannot match.
"There's not one solution that's going to solve everything. It's multiple—green hydrogen will still be in place, LNG and CCUS will be key."
Carmen Hamze — Partner, Rollenberger. Over 14 years of energy sector experience across the GCC, Carmen studied biology and initially worked in biomedical research and healthcare consulting before transitioning to energy strategy and sustainability consulting at a GCC utility, where she built deep expertise in strategic energy planning.
The broader context for CCUS adoption is explored further in the episode, where Hamze details how the GCC's balanced energy portfolio—combining renewable energy, gas as backbone, low-carbon molecules, and traditional oil and gas—positions the region as a potential global energy hub.
Key takeaways
- GCC countries leverage 14+ years of energy sector expertise and subsurface knowledge from hydrocarbon operations directly into CCUS development.
- Saudi Arabia and the UAE possess established investment capacity and sovereign wealth funding mechanisms to finance large-scale CCUS infrastructure without financing delays.
- Proven track records in executing complex energy projects give GCC operators institutional trust with technology partners and investors, accelerating deployment.
- CCUS is part of a diversified energy strategy—not the only solution, but one critical piece alongside hydrogen, LNG, and renewable energy.
See also
Why is green hydrogen momentum slowing and what technologies will actually drive the next five years of energy development in the GCC?
Green hydrogen will still be part of the solution but will progress slowly depending on technology evolution. The more immediate breakthroughs in the short term will come from other technologies like CCUS and advanced LNG.
What is the current landscape of the energy sector across the GCC and how has it shifted in recent years?
The GCC energy sector has shifted from focusing on siloed subsectors like oil and gas to a portfolio approach that integrates renewable energy, data centers, and low-carbon molecules—guided by a trilemma of sustainability, energy security, and affordability.
What is the 'culture eats strategy for breakfast' lesson Nourhan Farhat learned moving from consulting to Kareem?
The phrase was common in consulting circles but only truly clicked for Farhat once she transitioned from being an advisor to becoming an operator, where organizational culture directly shapes execution.