Major Iraq refinery project stalls
17 November 2025
Construction has yet to start on Iraq’s Al-Faw Investment Refinery project due to a range of problems, according to industry sources.
In May last year, a statement released by the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office said that Iraq’s state-owned Southern Refineries Company and China National Chemical Engineering Company (CNCEC) had signed a contract to develop the project.
Iraq’s Oil Ministry previously said the project would be worth $7bn-$8bn.
One source said: “This project is failing to make progress despite the efforts of senior political figures in the country.”
A meeting was chaired by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani in August this year to discuss and try to resolve the problems that are stopping the commencement of construction, according to industry sources.
It is believed that financing remains a key obstacle for the project.
The Al-Faw project is part of the Iraqi government’s plan to increase Iraq’s refining capacities, attract foreign investment and increase the production of petroleum products domestically.
The refinery will have a capacity of 300,000 barrels a day and will produce oil derivatives for both domestic and international markets.
The project will be carried out in two stages.
The first phase will involve refining operations, while the second will involve constructing a petrochemicals complex with a capacity of 3 million tonnes a year.
The project also includes the construction of a 2,000MW power plant and the establishment of the Al-Faw Academy for Refinery Technology, to train 5,000 Iraqi workers that will eventually work at the facility.
Hualu, a subsidiary of CNCEC, signed a preliminary principles agreement for the project in December 2021.
At the time, Iraq’s Oil Ministry said that the project would have a value of $7bn-$8bn.
Due to material price inflation since December 2021, some insiders believe that the project value may now be significantly higher.
READ THE NOVEMBER 2025 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF
Mena players up the ante in global LNG production race; Investment takes UAE non-oil economy from strength to strength; Project finance activity draws international lenders back to market
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the November 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
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> AGENDA 1: Gulf LNG sector enters a new prolific phase
> INDUSTRY REPORT 1: Region sees evolving project finance demand
> INDUSTRY REPORT 2: Iraq leads non-GCC project finance activity
> GREEN STEEL: Abu Dhabi takes the lead in green steel transition
> DIGITISATION: Riyadh-based organisation drives digital growth
> UAE MARKET FOCUS: Investment shapes UAE growth story
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Dubai seeks consultants for drainage projects6 February 2026
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Modon tenders Ras El-Hekma construction contracts6 February 2026
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Egypt contractor secures €58m loan for Hungary power plant6 February 2026
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AD Ports signs Jordan Aqaba port PPP deal6 February 2026
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Chinese firm wins Ceer automotive supplier park deal6 February 2026
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The request for qualifications (RFQs) was issued by the municipality’s Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department (SRPD).
The bid submission deadline is 26 February.
The first scheme under the package is TF-16-C1, which involves upgrading and rehabilitating the stormwater system east of the Dubai Canal.
The second, TF-15-C2, will deliver stormwater links along Umm Suqeim Road to serve the Al-Barsha and Al-Quoz communities.
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In January, local firm DeTech Contracting won the main contract to construct a stormwater drainage system in Jebel Ali.
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Separately, Dubai Municipality has opened bidding for EPC contracts to expand and rehabilitate the emirate’s sewerage networks.
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Modon tenders Ras El-Hekma construction contracts
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Abu Dhabi-based developer Modon Holding has tendered several contracts as part of the first phase of development at Ras El-Hekma, a planned new city on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.
MEED understands that the tenders were issued in January.
These include:
DP3 assets: covering 146 residential villas, 590 three-bedroom townhouses, 356 four-bedroom townhouses, a mall and other associated works.
Bids due on 23 February.
DP4 assets: DP4 includes 54 villas, a clubhouse and other associated infrastructure.
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Modon has accelerated development works at Ras El-Hekma this year. In January, MEED reported that Modon Holding had awarded a E£15bn ($316m) contract for the construction of a project at Ras El-Hekma.
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The scope of the contract covers the construction of residential units, commercial facilities and a 70-key hotel.
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Ras El-Hekma is on a spur of land on Egypt’s northern Mediterranean coastline, about 240 kilometres west of Alexandria.
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Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB) has provided €58m in credit facilities to local firm Elsewedy Electric for the construction of a combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant in Hungary.
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AD Ports Group will also invest AED141m ($38.4m) in the joint venture.
The signing ceremony was held at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority headquarters in Aqaba on 5 February.
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Aqaba port handles about 80% of Jordan’s exports and 65% of its imports.
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In 2025, the terminal handled over 5.3 million tonnes of cargo and nearly 85,000 car equivalent units of Ro-Ro imports.
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The announcement followed AD Ports Group’s signing of a shareholders’ agreement in January 2024 between its digital arm, Maqta Gateway, and Jordan’s Aqaba Development Corporation regarding their existing joint-venture company, Maqta Ayla.
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Chinese firm wins Ceer automotive supplier park deal
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Beijing-headquartered Metallurgical Construction Corporation (MCC) has won a contract to undertake the steel structure works on the Ceer automotive supplier park in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).
The supplier park is located next to Ceer’s electric vehicle (EV) production facility in KAEC.
The automotive supplier park will include production and ancillary facilities for various suppliers and provide the material supply infrastructure for Ceer’s EV plant.
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