A MASTER’S THESIS AT BASRA UNIVERSITY DISCUSSES THE ROLE OF NATURAL GAS IN ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN SELECTED ARAB COUNTRIES WITH A SPECEAL REFERENCE TO IRAQ FOR THE PERIOD (2007-2018)
The master’s thesis in economics discussed the role of natural gas in achieving sustainable development in selected Arab countries with special references for the period (2007-2018).
The thesis which presented by the researcher (MUSLIM HASSAN KHALAF) included four chapters in which the first chapter dealt with the theoretical and conceptual framework of natural gas and sustainable development, and the second chapter included the development of the natural gas industry in the selected Arab countries and it’s economic, environmental and social implications, and the third chapter show natural gas in Iraq and it’s role in achieving sustainable development. Finally, the fourth chapter focused on conclusions and recommendation.
The thesis aimed to clarify the economic, social and environmental impact of natural gas, analysis the indicators of the natural gas industry in the selected Arab countries, in addition to studying the experiences of three Arab countries in the field of natural gas industry and it’s impact on sustainable development and to develop a future vision for the natural gas industry for Iraq in light of the successful experiences of some Arab countries. 
The thesis concluded that natural gas is an essential pillar for achieving sustainable development in it’s economic , social and environmental dimensions ,as it is relatively clean and non-polluting energy for the environment ,and that western countries are an important strategic center for natural gas trade in the world due to their huge reserves of natural gas and their proximity to the main markets for natural gas exports in Asia and Europe, specially china ,India, south Korea and japan, this is what encouraged the Arab countries, the sample of the study, to expand projects of natural gas investments and liquefaction projects.
The thesis recommended working to found a specific formula or policy that limits the burning of associated gas and gas liquids for crude oil production processes, and encouraging investments in the natural gas industry to raise production, consumption and export capacities as a result of the huge reserves of natural gas enjoyed by these countries and it’s main role in meeting countries ‘needs of clean energy for all economic sectors, in addition to working to achieve a balance between production and consumption patterns and future expectations to increase the growth of demand for natural gas in order to determine the best options available to take advantage of the value of this resource towards optimal economic exploitation.