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  Saudi Arabia prequalifies firms for gas transmission grids

  Administrator

  19 February 2026

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  Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry has prequalified companies to develop natural gas distribution networks in five industrial cities in the kingdom on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis.

  The industrial zones earmarked are Al-Kharj Industrial City; Sudair City for Industry and Business; and the First, Second and Third Industrial Cities in Jeddah, the Energy Ministry said in a statement.

  The contractors prequalified to bid for the natural gas transmission grids BOO scheme include eight standalone firms and seven consortiums:

  • East Gas (Egypt)
  • Natural Gas Distribution Company (Saudi Arabia)
  • Egyptian Kuwaiti Advanced Operation and Maintenance (Saudi Arabia)
  • Modern Gas (Egypt)
  • Saab Energy Solutions (Saudi Arabia)
  • Sergas Contracting (Saudi Arabia)
  • Bharat Petroleum Corporation (India)
  • UniGas Arabia (Saudi Arabia)
  • Best Gas Carrier / Khazeen / Mubadra (Saudi Arabia)
  • Al Sharif Contracting (Saudi Arabia) / Anton Oilfield Services Group (China) China Oil and Gas Group
  • Hulul (owned by Saudi Arabia’s National Gas and Industrialization Company) /Al-Fanar Gas Group (UAE)
  • Indraprastha Gas (India) / Masah Contracting (Saudi Arabia)
  • Expertise Contracting / PGL Pipelines (UK)
  • National Gas Company (Egypt) / Egypt Gas (Egypt)
  • Taqa Arabia (Egypt) / Taqa Group (UAE)

  The Energy Ministry has set a deadline of 23 April for these prequalified contractors to submit technical bids.

  The ministry added in its statement that it has identified a total of 36 industrial cities in Saudi Arabia for gas infrastructure development.

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  Indrajit Sen
• 
  Consultants bid for Abu Dhabi airport delivery partner role

  Administrator

  19 February 2026

  

   

  Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) received bids from major international firms on 19 January for a contract covering the delivery partner role for the upcoming packages at Zayed International airport (AUH).

  The project is part of the AUH satellite terminal programme, estimated at AED10bn ($2.7bn).

  MEED understands that the following firms have submitted bids:

  • Aecom (US)
  • AtkinsRealis/Egis/Mace (Canada/France/UK)
  • Bechtel (US)
  • Hill International (US)
  • Jacobs / Surbana Jurong (US/Singapore)
  • Parsons Corporation / Arup  (US/UK)

  The plan includes a new satellite concourse east of Terminal A, linked by an underground tunnel housing both an automated people mover and a baggage handling system.

  It also includes apron stands, taxi lanes and taxiways, East Midfield landside access and utilities, additional bus gates and the reconfiguration of the North and South aprons and Apron 6.

  The latest tendering activity follows the start of construction works on the East Midfield cargo terminal located at AUH, as MEED reported in December 2024.

  Local firm Raq Contracting is undertaking the construction works on this project. 

  The terminal will cover an area of 90,000 square metres and will have the capacity to handle about 1.5 million tonnes of cargo annually.

  The project is part of a broader plan to enhance the new airport's profile.

  Abu Dhabi opened a new passenger terminal in November 2023 as part of the airport’s plan to increase its passenger traffic in line with the UAE’s wider growth plans, along with projects such as the rail network being built by Etihad Rail.

  In May 2024, MEED reported that AUH's new Terminal A could connect to the Etihad Rail network in the future, as part of its growth and interconnectivity plans. 

  Plans are in progress to link the new terminal at AUH to the UAE’s growing rail network, according to the CEO of Adac.

  Speaking to UK analytic firm GlobalData's Airport Technology during a tour of the new Terminal A at AUH, CEO Elena Sorlini said that Abu Dhabi Aviation is planning to improve the transport links to the site. 

  

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  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  Qatari firm wins Damascus airport MEP works

  Administrator

  19 February 2026

  Qatari firm Elegancia MEP, which is owned by local investment firm Estithmar Holding, has won a contract to undertake the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) and extra-low-voltage (ELV) systems works for the Damascus International airport Terminal 2 project.

  In a statement, Elegancia MEP said that its scope covers the execution of MEP and ELV systems works to support terminal operations, passenger facilities, safety systems and overall operational efficiency.

  The MEP works for the airport project include electrical installations; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; safety and security systems; firefighting systems; surveillance and monitoring systems; control systems; and plumbing works.

  The contract award follows the signing of the final concession contracts in November last year by Qatar’s UCC-led consortium to redevelop Damascus airport, formalising the prior memorandum of understanding (MoU) inked in August 2025 with Syria’s General Authority of Civil Aviation.

  The contract will see the consortium redevelop and expand the airport in several phases under a build-operate-transfer framework, with a view to raising total capacity to 31 million passengers annually upon the completion of all phases.

  The agreement is valued at an estimated $4bn and includes plans for the overhaul of all existing terminals, the construction of other passenger facilities and 500 kilometres of access roads, as well as the development of a commercial complex centred around a five-star hotel.

  The signing of the final concession contracts followed UCC Holding’s provisional signing in October last year of five consultancy and design agreements for planned work on the project.

  The earlier MoU designated UCC Holding as the primary developer through its investment arm UCC Concessions Investment, alongside three Turkish partners – Cengiz, Kalyon and TAV – and the US-based Assets Investments USA.

  US-based firm Synergy Consulting is the financial adviser for the consortium.

  

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  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  SAR tenders phosphate rail project management deal

  Administrator

  18 February 2026

  

   

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  Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) has floated another tender inviting firms to bid for a contract covering the project management consultancy services for its Phosphate 3 rail programme.

  The tender was issued on 15 February with a bid submission deadline of 5 April.

  The contract duration is 54 months.

  The latest tender follows SAR floating a multibillion-riyal tender to double the tracks on the existing phosphate transport railway network connecting the Waad Al-Shamal mines to Ras Al-Khair in the kingdom’s Eastern Province.

  The tender – covering the second section of the track-doubling works, spanning more than 150 kilometres (km) – was issued on 9 February. The bid submission deadline is 15 April.

  Earlier this month, MEED reported that SAR received bids from contractors on 1 February for the project’s first phase, which spans about 100km from the AZ1/Nariyah Yard to Ras Al-Khair.

  The scope includes track doubling, alignment modifications, new utility bridges, culvert widening and hydrological structures, as well as the conversion of the AZ1 siding into a mainline track.

  The scope also covers support for signalling and telecommunications systems.

  The tender notice was issued in late November with a bid submission deadline of 20 January.

  Switzerland-based engineering firm ARX is the project consultant.

  MEED understands that SAR is expected to tender a total of four packages for the phosphate railway line.

  The other packages expected to be tendered shortly include the depot and the systems package.

  In 2023, MEED reported that SAR was planning two projects to increase its freight capacity, including an estimated SR4.2bn ($1.1bn) project to install a second track along the North Train freight line and construct three new freight yards.

  Formerly known as the North-South Railway, the North Train is a 1,550km-long freight line running from the phosphate and bauxite mines in the far north of the kingdom to the Al-Baithah junction. There, it diverges into a line southwards to Riyadh and a second line running east to downstream fertiliser production and alumina refining facilities at Ras Al-Khair on the Gulf coast.

  Adding a second track and the freight yards will significantly increase the network’s cargo-carrying capacity and facilitate increased industrial production. Project implementation is expected to take four years.

  State-owned SAR is also considering increasing the localisation of railway materials and equipment, including the construction of a cement sleeper manufacturing facility.

  

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  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  Veolia wins Jordan water services contract

  Administrator

  18 February 2026

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  France's Veolia has signed a four-year performance-based management contract with the Water Authority of Jordan to support water and wastewater services in the country’s northern governorates.

  Under the contract, Veolia will provide operations, maintenance and management services to Yarmouk Water Company, the public utility responsible for water supply and wastewater services in the region.

  The agreement covers Irbid, Jerash, Ajloun and Mafraq, an area spanning nearly 30,000 square kilometres and covering about 3 million people.

  The scope includes water and wastewater operations, maintenance, billing and collection, and customer service.

  According to the firm, the performance-based structure prioritises measurable improvements, including service delivery, cost efficiency and revenue management.

  The company said it will deploy technical and management specialists to support operations, rehabilitation works and investment initiatives.

  The contract builds on Veolia’s existing operational role in Jordan’s water sector. The company operates the Disi-Amman scheme, which supplies about 100 million cubic metres of drinking water a year, under an operations and maintenance contract.

  It also operates the Al-Samra wastewater treatment plant, which produces about 133 million cubic metres of treated wastewater annually for agricultural reuse.

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  Mark Dowdall
• 
  PIF-backed firm signs worker accommodation deal

  Administrator

  17 February 2026

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  Saudi Arabia's Smart Accommodation for Residential Complexes Company (Sarcc) has signed an agreement with Riyadh-based Mawref Company to develop a 12,000-bed worker accommodation project in North Riyadh.

  The project will cover about 120,000 square metres (sq m), with a total built-up area of 150,000 sq m.

  The development is expected to cost over SR669m ($178m), with the first phase slated for completion in 2029.

  Sarcc is backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Saudi sovereign wealth vehicle.

  The agreement follows Sarcc signing another agreement in September last year with privately-owned local firm Tamimi Global Company to explore collaboration in developing worker accommodation facilities in the kingdom.

  The PIF launched Sarcc in October 2024 with the aim of developing and operating staff housing and accommodation assets in the kingdom.

  Sarcc will develop and operate the staff accommodation facilities at major construction projects in Saudi Arabia.

  The company will seek opportunities to invest in the sector to strengthen staff housing standards. Sarcc will also look to engage the private sector by enabling investment and partnership opportunities in sectors including construction, catering, transportation and retail.

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  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  KBR wins 10-year maintenance contract from Petro Rabigh

  Administrator

  17 February 2026

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  Saudi Arabia's Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Company (Petro Rabigh) has awarded US-based consultant KBR a 10-year contract to provide maintenance services covering the company’s polymer plants in Rabigh, on the kingdom’s Red Sea coast.

  “This [contract award] marks a major step in Petro Rabigh’s transformation journey, supporting safer operations, stronger reliability and long-term improvement across its facilities,” Petro Rabigh said in , without providing further details.

  Work on the operations and maintenance contract will be executed by KBR’s  business line, which operates under the Houston-headquartered firm’s Technology Solutions portfolio, sources told MEED.

  Prior to this contract, in March 2024, Petro Rabigh awarded KBR a similar five-year asset condition monitoring programme contract. As part of that job, KBR is to provide predictive maintenance services at Petro Rabigh’s main plant.

  Petro Rabigh was originally established in 1989 as a basic topping refinery with crude oil processing facilities, located in Rabigh, 165 kilometres to the north of Jeddah in Mecca Province.

  Saudi Aramco and Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical Company formed an equal joint venture in 2005 to transform the Petro Rabigh crude oil refining complex into an integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex, with the strategic objective of expanding Saudi Arabia’s annual production capacity of refined products and petrochemicals.

  Three years after the creation of the Petro Rabigh joint venture, the partners floated 25% of its shares in an initial public offering on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) in 2008, following which Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical each held 37.5% shares in Petro Rabigh, with the remaining shares listing on the Tadawul.

  In October last year, however, Aramco completed the acquisition of an additional 22.5% stake in Petro Rabigh from Sumitomo Chemical. Following the completion of the transaction, valued at $702m or SR7 a share, Aramco became the majority shareholder in Petro Rabigh, with an equity stake of 60%, while Sumitomo retains an interest of 15%. The remaining 25% shares of Petro Rabigh continue to trade on the Tadawul.

  ALSO READ: Petro Rabigh and Indian firm to study joint project investment

  Following the formation of the Petro Rabigh joint venture in 2005, Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical launched the expansion of the refining facility into an integrated refining and petrochemicals complex in 2006, investing $9.8bn in the project, 60% of which was secured through external financing. Engineering, procurement and construction works on phase one were completed in 2009, with the integrated downstream complex entering operations in November of that year.

  The Petro Rabigh downstream complex consists of a topping refinery that has a 340,000 barrel-a-day (b/d) crude distillation unit, a 47,000 b/d hydrotreater, a 12 million cubic-feet-a-day hydrogen plant, a 75,000 b/d naphtha merox unit and a 60,000 b/d kerosene merox unit, along with supporting utilities, product tankage and a marine terminal.

  Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical initiated Petro Rabigh’s phase two expansion project, valued at $8bn, in 2014. The second expansion phase was commissioned in 2018 and added 15 chemicals plants to the Petro Rabigh complex, raising the facility’s total production capacity to 18.4 million tonnes a year (t/y) of petroleum-based products.  

  The expansion also increased Petro Rabigh’s capacity to process an additional 30 million cubic feet a year of ethane into 2.4 million t/y of ethylene and propylene-based derivatives, and achieved a naphtha output of 3 million t/y.

  Expansion of the main existing chemicals plant and the establishment of a clean fuels complex comprising polyether polyols, naphtha treating and sulphur recovery units were also part of the phase two project.

  Photo credit: Petro Rabigh on LinkedIn

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  Indrajit Sen
• 
  Bidders await NWC decision on sewage contract

  Administrator

  17 February 2026

  

   

  Saudi Arabia’s National Water Company (NWC) is evaluating five bids for package 12 of its long-term operations and maintenance (LTOM12) sewage treatment programme.

  Known as the North Western B Cluster, LTOM12 forms part of the second phase of NWC’s rehabilitation of sewage treatment plants programme.

  The contract covers the construction and upgrade of seven sewage treatment plants with a combined capacity of about 162,000 cubic metres a day (cm/d).

  As MEED understands, the companies that have submitted proposals include:

  • Alkhorayef Water & Power Technologies (Saudi Arabia)
  • Civil Works Company (Saudi Arabia)
  • Miahona (Saudi Arabia)
  • Beijing Enterprises Water Group – BEWG (Hong Kong)
  • Al-Yamama (Saudi Arabia)

  Earlier this month, MEED exclusively reported that six contractors are competing for the North Western A Cluster Sewage Treatment Plants Package 11 (LTOM11), which has an estimated value of about $211m.

  The project involves the construction and upgrade of two sewage treatment plants with a combined capacity of about 440,000 cm/d.

  The scheme is being procured on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis with a long-term operations component. 

  It is understood that contracts for LTOM11 and LTOM12 will be awarded in May.

  In January, a consortium of United Water (China), Prosus Energy (UAE) and Armada Holding (Saudi Arabia) won the main contract for the Northern Cluster Sewage Treatment Plants Package 10 (LTOM10).

  This contract was the first to be awarded under the second phase of NWC’s rehabilitation of sewage treatment plants programme.

  NWC previously awarded $2.7bn-worth of contracts for the first phase of its LTOM programme. This comprises nine packages covering the treatment of 4.6 million cm/d of sewage water for the next 15 years.

  

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  Mark Dowdall