Abstract
This study explored the dynamics and patterns of the energy and fuels research published by authors affiliated with Saudi Arabian institutions. The bibliometric method has been used to carry out this research, and the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection was selected for data retrieval. Records of publications related to the energy and fuels domain, published between 1972 and 2020 by authors affiliated with Saudi Arabia, were analyzed. The results of the study revealed that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of publications during the last decade. This is consistent with the recent initiatives undertaken by KSA to promote scientific research in the Kingdom, especially in the energy sector. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, and King Abdulaziz University have been the top three contributors. The energy and fuels’ researchers in KSA have collaborated with scientists from all over the world. Multi-authored journal articles have been the most frequent form of publication. Out of the top ten preferred journals, nine were under the Q1 and Q2 category, and one was under Q3. The findings of this study would help decide the future direction of research in energy and fuels and aid the institutions in delivering their expected output. Even though research in this domain has been progressing at a dramatic rate, it still needs further attention. As per the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first study that presents the landscape of energy and fuels research in Saudi Arabia.
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs12517-022-10307-y/MediaObjects/12517_2022_10307_Fig1_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs12517-022-10307-y/MediaObjects/12517_2022_10307_Fig2_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs12517-022-10307-y/MediaObjects/12517_2022_10307_Fig3_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs12517-022-10307-y/MediaObjects/12517_2022_10307_Fig4_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs12517-022-10307-y/MediaObjects/12517_2022_10307_Fig5_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs12517-022-10307-y/MediaObjects/12517_2022_10307_Fig6_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs12517-022-10307-y/MediaObjects/12517_2022_10307_Fig7_HTML.png)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs12517-022-10307-y/MediaObjects/12517_2022_10307_Fig8_HTML.png)
Similar content being viewed by others
Data availability
Code availability
NA.
References
Abdul Mujeebu M, Alshamrani OS (2016) Prospects of energy conservation and management in buildings–the Saudi Arabian scenario versus global trends. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 58:1647–1663
Akash B, Abdo AMA, Akash O, Mohsen MS (2016) Scopus-based analysis of peer-reviewed literature related to solar energy in GCC countries. Procedia Comput Sci, 83(Seit):750–757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2016.04.163
Al-Youbi AO (2017) The development and advancement of higher education in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. QS Asia News Network. https://qswownews.com/higher-education-in-saudi-arabia/. Accessed 9 Nov 2020
Alamri M (2011) Higher Education in Saudi Arabia. J Higher Educ Theory Pract 11(4):88–91. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v5i3.427
Alkhathlan K, Javid M (2013) Energy consumption, carbon emissions and economic growth in Saudi Arabia: an aggregate and disaggregate analysis. Energy Policy 62:1525–1532
Allhibi H, Chowdhury H, Zaid M, Loganathan B, Alam F (2019) Prospect of wind energy utilization in Saudi Arabia: a review. Energy Procedia 160:746–751
Aria M, Cuccurullo C (2017) Bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. J Informetr 11(4):959–975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007
Alshahrani J, Boait P (2019) Reducing high energy demand associated with air-conditioning needs in Saudi Arabia. Energies 12(1):87
Alshehry AS, Belloumi M (2015) Energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and economic growth: the case of Saudi Arabia. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 41:237–247
Alshumaimri A, Aldridge T, Audretsch DB (2017) The university technology transfer revolution in Saudi Arabia. In Universities and the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Edward Elgar Publishing
Alshuwaikhat HM, Adenle YA, Saghir B (2016) Sustainability assessment of higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia. Sustainability (switzerland) 8(8):750. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8080750
Alsuhaibani Z, Hepbasli A (2013) Future aspects of geothermal energy in Saudi Arabia. Energy Sources, Part a: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects 35(10):981–990
Amran YHA, Amran YHM, Alyousef R, Alabduljabbar H (2020) Renewable and sustainable energy production in Saudi Arabia according to Saudi Vision 2030; current status and future prospects. J Clean Prod 247:119602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119602
Ansari M (2018) Saudi power sector: reforms underway. APICORP Energ Res 3(13):1–4. https://journalinsights.elsevier.com/journals/1072-7515. Accessed 17 Jul 2021
ARAMCO (2021) Sustainable business operations-energy efficiency. Saudi ARAMCO. https://www.aramco.com/en/creating-value/sustainable-business-operations/energy-efficiency#. Accessed 5 Jul 2021
Best 5 Universities and Colleges in Saudi Arabia (2020) Studyportals. https://www.mastersportal.com/ranking-country/132/saudi-arabia.html. Accessed 5 Jul 2021
Davarazar M, Jahanianfard D, Sheikhnejad Y, Nemati B, Mostafaie A, Zandi S, Khalaj M, Kamali M, Aminabhavi TM (2019) Underground carbon dioxide sequestration for climate change mitigation–a scientometric study. J CO2 Utilization, 33: 179–188.
Elsevier Journal Metrics Visualization-Review Speed (2020) Elsevier. https://journalinsights.elsevier.com/journals/0360-5442/review_speed. Accessed 23 Aug 2021
Eltamaly AM (2013) Design and implementation of wind energy system in Saudi Arabia. Renew Energy 60:42–52
Fattouh B, El-Katiri L (2014) Future energy challenges in the GCC region. Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, 96, 1–44. http://www.oxfordenergy.org/2014/06/oxford-energy-forum-issue-96/. Accessed 8 Mar 2021
Hauff J, Bode A, Neumann D, Haslaue F, Azevedo C, Haischer P, Hartmann B, Oswald K, Santos F, Sprott M, Yong T, Zantout R (2015) Global energy transitions - a comparative analysis of key countries and implications for the international energy debate. World Energy Council & A.T. Kearney, 30
KACST (2021) King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology - Saudi Arabia. KACST. https://www.kacst.edu.sa/internal/4793. Accessed 23 Aug 2021
Krane J (2019) Energy governance in Saudi Arabia: an assessment of the Kingdom’s resources, policies, and climate approach. Center for Energy Studies,Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. https://www.bakerinstitute.org/media/files/research-document/09666564/ces-pub-saudienergy-011819.pdf. Accessed 13 Apr 2021
Krarti M, Dubey K, Howarth N (2017) Evaluation of building energy efficiency investment options for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Energy 134:595–610
Kumar S, Jan JM (2014) Research collaboration networks of two OIC nations: comparative study between Turkey and Malaysia in the field of “Energy Fuels”, 2009–2011. Scientometrics 98(1):387–414. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-013-1059-8
Matar W, Murphy F, Pierru A, Rioux B, Wogan D (2017) Efficient industrial energy use: the first step in transitioning Saudi Arabia’s energy mix. Energy Policy 105:80–92
Mosly I, Makki AA (2018) Current status and willingness to adopt renewable energy technologies in Saudi Arabia. Sustainability (Switzerland), 10(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/su10114269
Olawumi TO, Chan DWM (2018) A scientometric review of global research on sustainability and sustainable development. J Clean Prod 183:231–250
Onsman A (2011) It is better to light a candle than to ban the darkness: government led academic development in Saudi Arabian universities. High Educ 62(4):519–532. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-010-9402-y
RDO (n.d.) The program for supporting research and development in universities. Ministry of Education -Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. https://rdo.moe.gov.sa/en/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed 13 Aug 2021
Salam MA, Khan SA (2018) Transition towards sustainable energy production–a review of the progress for solar energy in Saudi Arabia. Energy Explor Exploit 36(1):3–27
Sarwar R, Hassan SUI (2015) A bibliometric assessment of scientific productivity and international collaboration of the Islamic World in science and technology (S&T) areas. Scientometrics 105(2):1059–1077. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-015-1718-z
US Energy Information Administration (2017) Country Analysis Brief: Saudi Arabia, Report of US Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/beta/international/analysis_includes/countries_long/Saudi_Arabia/saudi_arabia.pdf. Accessed 3 Jul 2021
Zyoud SH, Al-Jabi SW, Sweileh WM, Al-Khalil S, Zyoud SH, Sawalha AF, Awang R (2015) The Arab world’s contribution to solid waste literature: a bibliometric analysis. Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 10(1):1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-015-0078-1
Acknowledgements
One of the authors would like to thank Prince Sultan University for their support.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Responsible Editor: Santanu Banerjee
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Aqil, M., Abdul Mujeebu, M., Rehman, S.U. et al. Scholarly output of energy and fuels research in Saudi Arabia during 1972–2020: a bibliometric analysis. Arab J Geosci 15, 1082 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10307-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-10307-y