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  • Kuwait postpones bid deadlines for four downstream oil tenders

    Administrator

    7 May 2026

     

    Kuwait has extended bid deadlines for four tendered contracts that are all focused on the country’s Mina Al-Ahmadi (MAA) refinery.

    The contracts include a project that has been tendered by state-owned downstream operator Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) to upgrade water transmission and storage infrastructure at the refinery.

    The contract will use the engineering, procurement and construction model and the tender was originally issued in October 2025 with an initial bid deadline of 4 January 2026.

    The tender has already seen several extensions and the latest rescheduling has set the bid deadline back from 19 April 2026 until 10 May 2026.

    The project is expected to take two years to complete and its scope is focused on expanding water storage capacity at the facility, either through extending existing tanks or building new tanks.

    The winning bidder will also be responsible for developing associated infrastructure and upgrading related systems that transport desalinated water to the refinery, such as pipelines and other infrastructure.

    In its 2024-25 annual report, KNPC said the project will help to meet demand for water at the facility’s refining and gas production units.

    The other three contracts are all maintenance contracts, which were also tendered by KNPC and have had their bid deadlines extended until 30 June 2026.

    The first of these is focused on mechanical maintenance of the Clean Fuel Project (CFP) units at the facility, as well as gas liquid production facilities.

    The CFP units were added to the refinery as part of the $16bn CFP, and were brought online in 2021.

    The project aimed to increase Kuwait’s capacity to produce low-sulfur fuels and, as part of the project, the MAA refinery was integrated with Kuwait’s Mina Abdulla (MAB) refinery.

    The project increased the capacity of MAB to 454,000 barrels a day (b/d) and the MAA refinery to 346,000 b/d.

    The second maintenance contract is focused on the mechanical maintenance of refining and production units at the MAA facility. The third contract is focused on workshop maintenance at the facility.

    The MAA refinery has been hit in several attacks during the US and Israel's war with Iran, which started on 28 February 2026.

    The full extent of the damage to the facility is currently unclear.

    Last month, MEED revealed that state-owned oil companies in Kuwait have fast-tracked the award of contracts to repair damage to infrastructure in the oil and gas sector.

    To expedite the award of contracts, deals were directly negotiated with trusted contractors without public tenders.

    The contracts were negotiated by senior officials at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation subsidiaries including Kuwait Oil Company and KNPC, sources said.

    It is not known whether any of these contracts related to repairs at the MAA refinery.

    READ THE MAY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Global energy sector forced to recalibrate; Conflict hits debt issuance and listings activity; UAE’s non-oil sector faces unclear recovery period amid disruption.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the May 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here

     

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16715383/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • Oman signs exploration agreement for methane hydrates

    Administrator

    7 May 2026

    Oman’s Ministry of Energy & Minerals (MEMR) has signed an agreement with Victarens Global Energy for the exploration of methane hydrates in Block 83 in the sultanate.

    Under the agreement, Victarens Global Energy will perform a study of Block 83, which spans approximately 11,000 square kilometers onshore Oman, over an initial period of two years, extendable for an additional two years based on the outcomes of the studies.

    “This step marks the first initiative of its kind in the sultanate to assess the potential of gas production through non-conventional methods, contributing to the diversification and sustainability of energy sources,” the MEMR said in a statement.

    The agreement was signed in Muscat by Salim Bin Nasser Al-Aufi, Oman’s Energy & Minerals Minister, and Kenan Issa, CEO of Victarens Global Energy.

    The project will be implemented in two main phases. The initial investment for the first phase is estimated at approximately $20m, while the second phase is expected to require around $200m, “reflecting the strategic importance of this project in exploring non-conventional energy resources”, the MEMR said in a statement.

    ALSO READ: Oman awards manganese exploration concession deal

    The scope of work on the first phase includes geological studies, analysis and reprocessing of existing geophysical data, and carrying out new seismic surveys to determine the volume and thickness of methane hydrate layers within the study area.

    Based on the results of this phase, the project will proceed to the second phase, which involves installing extraction equipment and testing the feasibility of commercial production.

    Should the project demonstrate economic viability for methane hydrate production, negotiations will be conducted between the MEMR and the company to establish a long-term agreement, including the commercial terms and profit-sharing mechanisms that ensure mutual benefits for both parties.

    “This agreement aims to explore and assess methane hydrate resources, supporting the adoption of advanced technologies in the energy sector and reinforcing the transition toward future energy sources, while promoting innovation and sustainability in the utilisation of natural resources. The agreement aligns with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on economic diversification, the development of the energy sector and strengthening the sultanate’s position as a regional hub for energy and advanced technologies,” the MEMR statement added.

    READ THE MAY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Global energy sector forced to recalibrate; Conflict hits debt issuance and listings activity; UAE’s non-oil sector faces unclear recovery period amid disruption.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the May 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here

     

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16703851/main1050.jpg
    Indrajit Sen
  • Dubai advances Auto Market construction

    Administrator

    6 May 2026

     

    The construction works on the Dubai Auto Market, which is set to become one of the world’s largest and most advanced automotive trading hubs, are progressing.

    Enabling works are under way, being carried out by local contractor Rad International Road Construction.

    US-based engineering firm Aecom is serving as the project consultant.

    In November last year, Dubai Municipality signed a partnership agreement with DP World’s Economic Zones division to establish and manage the market, as MEED reported. Under the agreement, DP World will provide integrated logistics and zone management services, including e-commerce and trade finance solutions.

    The Dubai Auto Market will span a 22 million-square-foot complex, to be developed by DP World. It is planned to include more than 1,500 showrooms, clustered workshop zones, warehouses and multi-storey parking facilities, alongside a convention centre, hotel, auction house, retail outlets, and food and beverage areas.

    The facility is designed to handle more than 800,000 vehicles a year, including new and used electric, hybrid and conventional models.

    The UAE’s construction industry is projected to expand by 5% in real terms in 2026, supported by rising foreign direct investment (FDI), growth in the construction sector and increased oil sector activity.

    According to the UAE’s Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, construction value added rose by 8.8% year on year (YoY) in Q2 2025, following YoY growth of 7% in Q1 2025 and 10.8% in Q4 2024.

    The commercial construction sector is forecast to grow by 6.4% in 2026 and to record average annual growth of 4.9% from 2027 to 2030, supported by investment in tourism and hotel facilities.

    The industrial construction sector is expected to expand by 4.1% in real terms in 2026, then to average 4.4% annually from 2027 to 2030, supported by improved investment in manufacturing facilities.

    The infrastructure construction sector is projected to grow by 5.8% in real terms in 2026, before averaging 4.3% annual growth from 2027 to 2030, supported by the government’s focus on improving regional connectivity through road and rail development.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16700367/main.png
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Saudi Arabia extends bid deadline for solar projects

    Administrator

    6 May 2026

     

    Saudi Arabia’s principal buyer, Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC), has extended the deadline for developers bidding for four solar projects under the seventh round of the National Renewable Energy Programme (NREP).

    Round seven of the NREP comprises solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind independent power producer (IPP) projects with a combined capacity of 5,300MW. The renewables programme is being led and supervised by the Ministry of Energy.

    The four solar PV projects comprise:

    • 1,400MW Tabjal 2 solar PV IPP (Tabrijal, Al-Jouf province)
    • 600MW Mawqqaq solar PV IPP (Mawqqaq, Hail province)
    • 600MW Tathleeth solar PV IPP (Tathleeth, Aseer province)
    • 500MW South Al-Ula solar PV IPP (Al-Ula, Medina province)

    The projects were tendered in January, with an initial bid submission deadline of 30 April.

    The new deadline is 30 June.

    The solar projects are the latest in a string of large-scale power and water developments across the region to have bidding extended in recent weeks.

    In the UAE, the bid deadline for the seventh phase of Dubai Electricity & Water Authority’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Solar Park was recently pushed back to 1 July. 

    Bids for the 1,300MW Bilgah and 900MW Shagra wind IPPs are currently still due by 14 May, according to a source.

    In January, MEED reported that 16 developers qualified to bid as both managing and technical members for the four solar PV projects under the seventh round of the NREP.

    These include:

    • Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) 
    • Alfanar Company (Saudi Arabia)
    • Al-Gihaz Holding Company (Saudi Arabia)
    • EDF Power Solutions (France)
    • Kahrabel (Engie) (UAE / France)
    • Sembcorp Utilities (Singapore)
    • Jinko Power (HK) (China)
    • TotalEnergies Renewables (France)
    • Al-Jomaih Energy & Water (Saudi Arabia)
    • Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) (South Korea)
    • Nesma Renewable Energy (Saudi Arabia)
    • Korea Western Power (South Korea)
    • Marubeni Corporation (Japan)
    • SPIC Shanghai Electric Power (China)
    • WahajPeak Holdings (Saudi Arabia)
    • FAS Energy for Trading Company (Saudi Arabia)

    A further six companies qualified to bid as a managing member only for the solar PV projects. These include:

    • Saudi Electricity Company (Saudi Arabia)
    • Grupo Empresarial Enhol (Spain)
    • Power Construction Corporation of China (Power China) (China)
    • GD Power Development (China)
    • Gulf Development Public Company (Thailand)
    • Reliance NU Energies Private (India)

    The renewable energy programme aims to supply 50% of the kingdom’s electricity from renewable energy by 2030.

    Earlier rounds under the NREP have already put in place large capacities. Last October, SPPC awarded contracts to develop and operate five renewable energy projects under round six of the NREP.

    These comprise four solar PV IPP projects and one wind IPP project with a total combined capacity of 4,500MW.

    READ THE MAY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Global energy sector forced to recalibrate; Conflict hits debt issuance and listings activity; UAE’s non-oil sector faces unclear recovery period amid disruption.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the May 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here

     

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16700361/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • EtihadWE awards EPC contract for Fujairah IWP

    Administrator

    6 May 2026

    Etihad Water & Electricity (EtihadWE) has awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the Fujairah 1 independent water producer (IWP) project.

    The agreement was signed with a consortium of UAE-based NMDC Infra and Spain’s Lantania Aguas. 

    The EPC works will be delivered by Lantania NMDC Water. The company was formed after NMDC Infra acquired a 51% stake in Lantania Aguas in January 2026.

    Fujairah 1 is the second desalination project procured by EtihadWE under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. It follows the 150-million-imperial-gallon-a-day (MIGD) Naqa’a IWP in Umm Al-Quwain.

    The project involves developing a 60 MIGD seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant. The total investment is valued at AED1.046bn ($285m), the utility said in a statement.

    The plant will be located at the Port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman and will include storage capacity equivalent to 18 hours of production.

    Construction is expected to take about 30 months. Initial operations will begin at partial capacity, followed by ramp-up to full output.

    Details of the water offtake agreement for Fujairah 1 have not been disclosed. EtihadWE previously signed a 35-year water-purchase agreement for the Naqa’a project.

    Mohammed Al-Shehhi, CEO of the development and investment arm of EtihadWE, said the company is “currently developing multiple SWRO projects to be announced in due course”.

    In January, Dubai International Financial Centre-based Deloitte Professional Services submitted the lowest bid for a contract to provide consultancy services to Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) and EtihadWE.

    The contract scope includes conducting a pre-feasibility study for an SWRO IWP and water transmission pipelines project.

    The study will assess potential project sites, optimal plant capacity, technical and commercial parameters and the viability of associated water transmission infrastructure.

    According to a source, the study’s consultant has not yet been appointed.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16700218/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • June deadline for Riyadh section of Saudi Landbridge

    Administrator

    6 May 2026

     

    Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has set a 2 June bid submission deadline for a design-and-build contract to construct the Riyadh Rail Link, a new railway line running north to south across Riyadh.

    The tender was issued on 29 January. The previous bid submission deadline was 29 April.

    The scope of work includes constructing a 35-kilometre-long double-track railway line connecting SAR’s North-South railway to the Eastern railway network.

    The contract also covers the procurement, construction and installation of associated infrastructure such as viaducts, civil works, utility installations, signalling systems and other related works.

    The project is expected to form a key component of the Saudi Landbridge railway.

    In January, SAR said it would deliver the Saudi Landbridge project through a “new mechanism” by 2034, after failing to reach an agreement with a Chinese consortium to construct it, as MEED reported.

    In an interview with local media, SAR CEO Bashar Bin Khalid Al-Malik said the consortium failed to meet local content requirements and that the project would now be delivered in several phases under a different procurement model.

    The project has been under negotiation between Saudi Arabia and China-backed investors keen to develop it through a public-private partnership.

    Al-Malik said that the project cost is about SR100bn ($26.6bn).

    It comprises more than 1,500km of new track. The core component is a 900km new railway between Riyadh and Jeddah, which will provide direct freight access to the capital from King Abdullah Port on the Red Sea.

    Other key sections include upgrading the existing Riyadh-Dammam line, a bypass around the capital called the Riyadh Link, and a link between King Abdullah Port and Yanbu.

    The Saudi Landbridge is one of the kingdom’s most anticipated project programmes. Plans to develop it were first announced in 2004, but put on hold in 2010 before being revived a year later. Key stumbling blocks were rights-of-way issues, route alignment and its high cost.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16698846/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Bid deadline extended for Kuwait oil pipeline

    Administrator

    6 May 2026

    State-owned upstream operator Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has extended the bid deadline for a project to develop a crude oil pipeline in the country.

    The invitation to bid was originally tendered in October last year, with a bid deadline of 18 January 2026.

    Since then, the deadline has been extended several times, and the latest announced bid deadline is 31 May 2026.

    The new pipeline will have a diameter of 20 inches and will carry the crude oil blend known as Ratawi-Burgen.

    The project scope will involve replacing a 30-kilometre section of the pipeline known as CR-058.

    The pipeline originates from the Wafra field and feeds crude oil into the larger 36-inch CR-088 crude oil pipeline.

    The pipelines on this network have had documented corrosion issues in the past, which were linked to slow flow rates within the pipelines.

    The Wafra field is located in the Partitioned Zone between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

    Both countries equally share the natural resources contained in this region.

    Kuwait is currently pushing to increase its oil production capacity.

    In 2024, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s chief executive, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Sabah, reiterated that his company plans to increase Kuwait’s oil production capacity to 4 million barrels a day (b/d) by 2035.                             

    In September last year, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Tareq Al‑Roumi announced that the country’s oil production capacity had reached 3.2 million b/d, its highest level in more than 10 years.

    Kuwait had a similar capacity in the late 2000s, peaking at a recorded 3.3 million b/d in 2010.

    Since the US and Israel’s attack on Iran on 28 February, Kuwait’s oil and gas sector has been rocked by the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which all of the country’s crude is normally exported.

    Kuwait recorded zero crude oil exports in April for the first time since the end of the Gulf War in 1991, according to shipping monitor TankerTrackers.com.

    READ THE MAY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Global energy sector forced to recalibrate; Conflict hits debt issuance and listings activity; UAE’s non-oil sector faces unclear recovery period amid disruption.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the May 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16691664/main5905.jpg
    Wil Crisp
  • Libya still silent on budget for state oil firms

    Administrator

    6 May 2026

     

    Libya’s state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) has yet to provide its subsidiaries with details of how much funding they will receive under the country’s new budget, according to industry sources.

    The failure to quickly communicate information about how the budget will be distributed has disappointed some industry stakeholders.

    One source said: “NOC’s failure to tell its subsidiaries how much money is going to be available to them to spend on projects means that significant uncertainty remains about which projects will progress and when.”

    Libya’s rival legislative bodies approved a unified state budget for the first time in more than 13 years earlier this year.

    The Central Bank of Libya confirmed on 11 April that both chambers had endorsed the budget, saying that it was a key step towards restoring financial stability after prolonged division.

    The budget is valued at LD190bn ($29.95bn), and LD12bn ($1.9bn) has been allocated to NOC.

    An additional LD40bn ($6.3bn) has been allocated for “development projects”.

    Libya has said a joint committee has been formed to help prioritise development projects, which have been listed in the budget.

    The budget was announced at a time when Libya’s oil and gas sector could be positioned to generate windfall revenues as prices remain high due to fallout from the US and Israel’s war with Iran.

    One industry source said: “I understand that there might be processes to go through and important decisions that need to be made, but it is also important that NOC acts quickly in order to get projects moving.”

    Over the past decade, the country has had two rival governments; the last time the country operated under a single national budget was in 2013.

    The country’s two legislatures are the eastern-based House of Representatives and the Tripoli-based High Council of State.

    As a result of the US and Israel’s war with Israel, there has been significant disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally transports around 20% of the world’s oil and gas exports.

    Libya is well-positioned to capitalise on this situation, as energy-importing nations seek reliable oil and gas supplies.

    The North African country is located near Europe, with several large oil and gas export ports and a pipeline that transports gas to Italy.

    Libya has the largest oil reserves in Africa, but has struggled to implement projects to develop them over recent years due to political infighting and security problems.

    READ THE MAY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

    Global energy sector forced to recalibrate; Conflict hits debt issuance and listings activity; UAE’s non-oil sector faces unclear recovery period amid disruption.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the May 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16691662/main.png
    Wil Crisp
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