Read the December 2022 MEED Business Review
28 November 2022
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The spectre of retreating Russian oil and gas supply while the global energy crisis unfolds has turned the spotlight on the largest oil and gas exporting countries in the Middle East.
The region’s response to the ongoing crisis is unequivocal: Saudi Arabia is willing to pump more oil if the situation worsens and the UAE has said it will continue supplying oil and gas responsibly as long as the world needs it.
At the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (Adipec) this year, the UAE climate envoy Sultan al-Jaber said the world needs maximum energy and minimum emissions.
“The world requires all the solutions it can get to respond to rising energy demand, which entails oil and gas, solar, wind, nuclear and hydrogen, plus the clean energies yet to be discovered, commercialised and deployed,” said the government official, who heads both Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and Abu Dhabi Clean Energy Company (Masdar).
Amid ongoing energy chaos that is unsettling entire continents, economies and energy policies, MEED’s December 2022 edition of MEED Business Review explores Middle East oil producers' determination to retain their role as global energy partners.
The Gulf, our report concludes, will continue to power the world for decades to come, thanks to its natural assets, both hydrocarbons and solar radiation, combined with a pragmatic approach to the energy transition.
December’s 18-page Market Focus on Bahrain, meanwhile, finds much to be optimistic about in the country's economic landscape, with investment and development initiatives targeting most sectors.
This month, MEED also presents its 2022 EPC contractor ranking.
Abu Dhabi’s NPCC tops the ranking, taking the lead in recently awarded work in a clear sign that localisation policies are having an impact.
We hope you enjoy the December 2022 edition of MEED Business Review.
Must-read sections in the December 2022 edition of MEED Business Review include:
> AGENDA: Oil giants aim for energy transition pole position
> CLIMATE CHANGE: Gulf can defy doubters and lead way to net zero
> BIG INTERVIEW: ACC leverages expertise to tap new markets
> OPINION: Wobbling technology teaches digital caution
> MEED COMMENTS:
> UAE industrial manufacturing balloons
> Foreign investors want bankable projects
> MONTHLY BRIEFING: 14 key developments in the region
> IRAN: Prospects fade for revival of Iran nuclear deal
> EAST MEDITERRANEAN: Israel election could derail Mediterranean gas deals
> EPC CONTRACTOR RANKING:
> Abu Dhabi’s NPCC tops EPC contractor ranking
> Region strives to localise EPC market
> ECONOMIC OUTLOOK:
> Middle East outpaces global economic growth
> IMF says Oman’s economic recovery gains traction
> IRAQ ENERGY: Chinese win 87 per cent of Iraq energy contracts
> INTERVIEW: Yellow Door Energy begins $1bn expansion
> MEED INDEX: DECEMBER 2022 Regional Energy Transition Index
> BAHRAIN MARKET FOCUS: Bahrain finds its economic footing
> Bahrain tests its democratic limits
> Bahrain’s economy and metrics stabilise
> Interview with Bahrain Economic Development Board CEO
> Bahrain banks tread a fine line
> Manama coasts towards pragmatic energy ambitions
> Bahrain shifts utility sector priorities
> Construction sector looks ahead to major projects
> Interview with Minister of Works Ibrahim bin Hassan al-Hawaj
> Interview with Mohamed Yousif al-Binfalah, CEO of Bahrain Airports Company
> Interview with Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority CEO Nasser Qaedi
> Databank: Bahrain’s economic metrics stabilise in 2022
> MARKET TALK: Unlocking easier access to finance for Gulf SMEs
> MARKET SNAPSHOT: Saudi Arabia's gigaprojects
> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf projects market sustains recovery
> OCTOBER 2022 CONTRACTS: Regional contract awards continue to rise
> BUSINESS OUTLOOK: Finance, oil and gas, construction, power and water contracts
Exclusive from Meed
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Almabani wins $870m Riyadh road schemes
11 August 2025
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UCC-led team wins $4bn Syria airport redevelopment
7 August 2025
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Region remains top of construction momentum index
7 August 2025
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Adnoc Gas registers highest-ever quarterly profit
6 August 2025
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Related Articles
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QatarEnergy selects contractors for Bul Hanine oil field project
11 August 2025
QatarEnergy has selected contractors for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works on a project to maintain and increase the oil production potential of the Bul Hanine offshore oil field development.
QatarEnergy divided the EPC scope of work on the Bul Hanine expansion project into three main packages.
State-owned China Offshore Oil Engineering Company (COOEC) has been selected for the first two EPC packages, while Qatari contractor Doha Petroleum Construction Company (Dopet) has been picked for the third EPC package, according to sources.
Additionally, COOEC has appointed US-based KBR to provide detailed engineering services for the first and second EPC packages, sources told MEED.
QatarEnergy received technical bids for the three EPC packages in late January and early February.
Contractors submitted commercial bids for the first package on 13 July, and for the second and third packages on 7 July, MEED previously reported.
The following contractors, among others, are understood to have been bidding for the Bul Hanine offshore oil field development expansion project:
- China Offshore Oil Engineering Company (China)
- Doha Petroleum Construction Company (Qatar)
- Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon (India)
- McDermott (US)
- PetroVietnam Technical Services (Vietnam)
Qatar's Bul Hanine oil field lies about 120 kilometres offshore in the Gulf’s waters. The field has been in production since 1972 and has produced more than 1.3 billion barrels of oil to date, with an average rate of production of 40,000 barrels a day (b/d).
Through this project, QatarEnergy intends to increase and stablise the field’s output to 93,000 b/d.
EPC works on the first package cover:
- Installation of four wellhead platforms, requiring 80,000 tonnes of fabrication work
- Expansion of existing offshore production stations
- Construction of living quarters
- Construction of utilities platform
- Installation of gas-injection platform
- Installation of riser platform
- Modifications to existing structures
- Installation of safety and security systems
EPC works on the second package cover:
- Installation of subsea pipelines
- Installation of umbilicals
- Installation of subsea cables
- Installation of associated offshore infrastructure.
EPC works on the third package cover:
- Installation of brownfield hookups
- Installation of flowlines
- Laying of pipelines
- Maintenance works
- Associated offshore infrastructure.
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Almabani wins $870m Riyadh road schemes
11 August 2025
Saudi Arabian contractor Almabani General Contractors has won two contracts worth over SR3.2bn ($853m) for the construction of two road schemes in Riyadh.
The contracts were awarded by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC).
The first contract was awarded to develop road networks around Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). The SR1bn project will enhance connectivity within KAFD.
The project involves the construction of 17 bridges, comprising 211 spans measuring 20-45 metres in length and 6.7-16.5 metres in width.
The scheme includes 247 piers, including abutments and frames, with heights of 3.5-29.5 metres. The scope also covers traffic detours and utility diversions; geotechnical investigations; mechanical, electrical and plumbing works; and hardscape and landscape enhancements.
Candian firm WSP and US-based Parsons are managing the project.
The construction works have started, and the project is expected to be completed by May 2027.
The other SR2.1bn ($583m) contract was awarded for the development of Al-Thumamah central section.
This project is part of the broader Al-Thumamah Road and Imam Bin Faisal Road development scheme, which is a 24-kilometre (km) east-west corridor in the northern region of Riyadh.
The scope covers the construction works on a section that stretches from Mohammed Bin Salman Road to Uthman Bin Affan Road, with a total length of 7.7km.
The construction work encompasses major interchanges and structures, including tunnels, underpasses, bridges, viaducts, pedestrian bridges and associated infrastructure works.
Spanish engineering firm Idom is the project consultant.
The project is due to be completed by October 2028.
Planning for growth
In 2021, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud said that the population of Riyadh will double to 15-20 million people by 2030.
He directed government entities to work closely with the RCRC to prepare the city’s development strategy.
The RCRC’s major projects include Riyadh Metro, Riyadh Art, Sports Boulevard, King Salman International Park, Green Riyadh and the Diriyah Gate project.
The RCRC's road schemes are expected to improve Riyadh's road networks in preparation to host major events in the coming years.
In November last year, Riyadh was selected to host the Expo 2030 event, where the kingdom plans to invest $7.8bn. The figure was revealed in June 2024 in Paris at the 172nd general assembly of the expo organising body, the Bureau International des Expositions.
This announcement was followed by Saudi Arabia's official selection to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup in December last year.
Saudi Arabia will likely invest hundreds of billions of dollars in developing the required infrastructure to host the events.
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UCC-led team wins $4bn Syria airport redevelopment
7 August 2025
Syria's General Authority of Civil Aviation has signed a $4bn memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop and expand Damascus International airport with a consortium of international firms led by Qatar's UCC Holding.
The agreement designates UCC Holding as the primary developer – through its investment arm UCC Concessions Investment – along with three Turkish partners, Cengiz, Kalyon, TAV and the US-based Assets Investments USA.
The project will be implemented under the build, operate, transfer model and covers the expansion of the Damascus International airport in five phases.
The expansion will ultimately increase the airport's capacity to handle 31 million passengers annually.
The agreement also includes the construction of a 50-kilometre (km) road leading to the airport and $250m in financing to purchase up to 10 Airbus A320 aeroplanes for Syrian Airlines.
The signing ceremony took place at the presidential palace in Damascus in the presence of President Ahmad Al-Sharaa. It was attended by US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and representatives from the Qatari embassy in Damascus.
The agreement was signed by Omar Al-Husari, chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation; Mohammad Moataz Al-Khayyat, chairman of UCC Holding; Sani Sener, chairman of TAV; Anthony Salter, CEO of Assets Investments USA; Murat Ergonul, board member of Cengiz Insaat; and Mustafa Kocar, CEO of Kalyon Insaat.
READ MORE: Turkiye's Kalyon goes global
The project adds to UCC Holding's portfolio of projects in Qatar and elsewhere. UCC has been involved in airport projects, including Hamad International Airport in Qatar, Rwanda's new international airport and Tripoli airport in Libya.
UCC is also bidding for the contract to develop the first phase of Terminal 6 and the Iconic Terminal at King Salman International airport (KSIA) in Riyadh.
The agreement follows on from the Syrian Ministry of Energy's signing of a $7bn memorandum of understanding (MoU) in May with a team led by UCC Holding to develop 5GW of power generation capacity – doubling the country’s output – by constructing new gas and solar power plants.
The agreement covers the development of four combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants in Traifawi, Homs, Zayzoun, Deir-Azzour and Mehardeh in Hama with an installed capacity of 4GW, and a 1GW solar power plant in Wedian Al-Rabee in the southern region of Syria.
The projects will be implemented under build, own, operate (BOO) and build, operate, transfer (BOT) models alongside power purchase agreements. Following final agreements and financial close, completion is expected within three years for the gas plants and two years for the solar plant.
This aviation package also includes:
> Middle East invests in giant airports
> Broader region upgrades its airports
> Global air travel shifts east
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Region remains top of construction momentum index
7 August 2025
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The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region remains the most active global market according to the latest Construction Project Momentum Index (CPMI) report released by GlobalData.
The region recorded a CPMI score of 1.01 in June 2025, a 9% increase from May. In May, the score was 0.93, which was a 12% increase from April. This growth reflects ongoing efforts to diversify economies and invest in infrastructure projects across the region.
The three-month moving average score remained stable, shifting from 0.96 in April to 0.97 in June.
For projects at the execution stage, the CPMI maintained a strong performance with a score of 1.13, slightly down from 1.21 in May. This score reflects ongoing commitments to completing significant projects, particularly in the energy and utilities sector, which achieved a score of 1.40, up from 1.04 in May. This surge indicates increased investments in renewable energy and infrastructure upgrades.
Infrastructure challenges
The industrial sector also showed notable improvement, scoring 1.20, a significant rise from 0.49. However, the infrastructure sector faced challenges, experiencing a significant decline to a score of 0.12 from 0.49 in May, raising concerns about the pace of essential infrastructure projects.
The commercial and leisure sector saw a downturn, decreasing to a score of 0.73 from 1.25, reflecting the ongoing impact of economic uncertainties. Meanwhile, the institutional sector recorded a score of 0.88, down from 1.35, indicating a slowdown in public sector projects. The residential sector remained relatively stable with a score of 0.90, slightly down from 0.92.
Other markets
Australasia also topped the index with a score of 1.01, driven primarily by advancements in the energy and utilities sector, which scored 1.32. The sector's growth is attributed to increased investments in renewable energy projects and infrastructure upgrades, positioning Australasia as a leader in sustainable construction practices.
North America and China reported scores of 0.97 and 0.88 respectively, reflecting steady progress in their construction sectors. North America’s resilience can be attributed to ongoing infrastructure projects and a recovering economy, while China continues to navigate its post-pandemic recovery with a focus on urban development.
Sub-Saharan Africa also showed promise with a score of 0.83, indicating a gradual improvement in construction activities, although challenges remain in terms of funding and project execution.
Sector performance varied widely, with the commercial and leisure sector in Latin America lagging at a score of 0.50, underscoring the region's struggles. Conversely, the residential sector in South Asia performed well, achieving a score of 0.93, driven by increasing demand for housing and urban development.
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Adnoc Gas registers highest-ever quarterly profit
6 August 2025
Adnoc Gas has announced a 16% year-on-year growth in net income to $1.4bn in the second quarter of 2025, which is the highest-ever profit the company has achieved in a quarter.
The company, which is the natural gas processing subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), registered an 8% year-on-year increase to $2.3bn in its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda).
Adnoc Gas’ board of directors has approved an interim dividend of $1.8bn, up 5% year-on-year, scheduled for distribution in September. The company is the highest dividend payer on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).
Strong performance
“Q2 2025 saw a strong performance across Adnoc Gas’ product portfolio, especially in the local gas market. The company serves local customers under long-term contracts with competitive prices and improved underlying margins,” Adnoc Gas said in a 6 August statement.
“Adnoc Gas also capitalised on opportunities to sell additional volumes at favourable prices, in the local gas market and in the export market as liquefied natural gas (LNG). The Q2 results show the company’s product portfolio is resilient to oil price volatility.”
Following its inclusion in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index in June, Adnoc Gas experienced a net capital inflow of approximately $500m. The company is now on course to join the UK's FTSE Index in September, with market estimates of added inflows of more than $200m.
Adnoc Gas
Adnoc Group announced the creation of Adnoc Gas through the merger of its subsidiaries Adnoc Gas Processing and Adnoc LNG in November 2022. Adnoc Gas began operating as a commercial entity on 1 January 2023.
The consolidation of Adnoc’s gas processing and LNG operations into Adnoc Gas has created one of the world’s largest gas-processing entities, with a processing capacity of about 10 billion standard cubic feet of gas a day across eight onshore and offshore sites, which include its Asab, Bab, Bu Hasa, Habshan and Ruwais plants.
The company also owns a 3,250-kilometre (km) gas pipeline network to supply feedstock to its customers in the UAE. This sales gas pipeline network is being expanded to over 3,500km through the estimated $3bn Estidama project.
In February, Adnoc Group completed a marketed offering of approximately 3.1 billion shares in Adnoc Gas, raising $2.8bn from the exercise. The offering represented 4% of the issued and outstanding share capital of Adnoc Gas.
Following the marketed offering of shares, Adnoc Group continues to hold the majority 86% of shares in Adnoc Gas.
The parent entity listed 5% of Adnoc Gas’ shares on the ADX in March 2023, in an initial public offering (IPO) from which it raised about $2.5bn.
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) owns the remaining 5% shares in Adnoc Gas.
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