meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Capacity building spurs upstream spending

27 April 2023

 

The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, where a third of the world’s crude oil and about a quarter of its natural gas is produced, is increasing its hydrocarbons production potential.

There are an estimated $113.6bn-worth of upstream oil and gas projects in the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) execution stage in the Mena region, according to data from regional projects tracker MEED Projects. 

Most of these schemes are set to be commissioned between this year and 2025, helping the region to consolidate its position as the largest producer of crude oil, natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

With the world still heavily reliant on hydrocarbons, and green energy sources falling short of meeting global energy needs, oil and gas producers in the region see more merit in investing in building upstream production potential.

Regional oil and gas industry leaders have been making the case for increasing spending on boosting hydrocarbons output capacity. Their purpose has been to draw the world’s attention to the role of fossil fuels as a bridge to achieving a clean energy transition, as well as to justify their major upstream capital expenditure (capex) programmes.

Saudi Arabia dominates

Saudi Aramco tops MEED’s ranking of state energy enterprises in the Mena region by the volume of upstream oil and gas projects under EPC execution, with nearly $41bn-worth of project value.

Aramco aims to increase its maximum oil output spare capacity to 13 million barrels a day (b/d) by 2027 from about 12 million b/d currently. It also plans to raise gas production by 50 per cent by the end of this decade. 

With a large portion of its under-execution projects expected to come online by the middle of this decade, the Saudi energy giant appears to be on track to meet its strategic output goals.

The largest Saudi Aramco project under execution is the $3bn-plus Berri increment programme, which was awarded to Italian contractor Saipem in July 2019. Through the project, Aramco plans to add 250,000 b/d of Arabian light crude from the offshore oil and gas field.

The planned facilities will include a new gas oil separation plant (GOSP) on Abu Ali Island to process 500,000 b/d of Arabian light crude and additional processing facilities at the Khursaniyah gas plant to process 40,000 b/d of associated hydrocarbons condensates.

The Berri increment programme will complement Saudi Aramco’s $15bn Marjan field development programme, EPC contracts for which were also awarded in July 2019. The scheme is an integrated project for oil, associated gas, non-associated gas and cap gas from the Marjan offshore oil and gas field.

The Marjan development plan includes provision of a new offshore GOSP and 24 offshore oil, gas and water injection platforms. The contract for the main GOSP, which is worth $3bn and is the first EPC package of the project, was awarded to McDermott International. The US contractor also won offshore package four, which involves the building of offshore gas facilities and is valued at about $1.5bn.

The offshore development project aims to increase the production of the Marjan field by 300,000 b/d of Arabian medium crude oil, process 2.5 billion cubic feet a day (cf/d) of gas and produce an additional 360,000 b/d of ethane and natural gas liquids.

Looking ahead, Aramco expects capital expenditure in 2023 to be $45bn-$55bn, including external investments. This projected spending is at least 20 per cent higher than the company’s $37.6bn capex in 2022.

Qatar’s LNG expansion

With the goal of consolidating its position as the world’s largest supplier of gas, QatarEnergy continues to progress with its North Field LNG expansion programme. The project, which is estimated to be worth about $30bn, will increase Qatar’s LNG production to 126 million tonnes a year (t/y) in two phases by 2027.

The two-stage North Field Production Sustainability (NFPS) programme will run in parallel, to help maintain gas production from the offshore reserve in order to match the feedstock requirements of the LNG expansion scheme.

QatarEnergy led spending on upstream projects in 2022 for the second year in a row, accounting for more than a third of the $18.9bn EPC contract awards in the Mena region. The firm’s overall value of EPC projects under execution stands at $27.3bn, putting it in second place in MEED’s ranking of the biggest national oil companies by volume of under-execution projects.

Launched in 2017, the North Field East (NFE) project constitutes the first phase of QatarEnergy’s North Field LNG expansion project. As well as an LNG output of 32 million t/y, NFE will produce 4,000 tonnes a day (t/d) of ethane as feedstock for future petrochemicals developments, 260,000 b/d of condensates, 11,000 t/d of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and 20 t/d of helium.

The EPC works on QatarEnergy’s NFE project were divided into six packages – four onshore and two offshore – and are currently progressing. 

QatarEnergy awarded a $13bn contract for NFE package one to a consortium of Chiyoda and TechnipEnergies in February 2021. The package covers the EPC of four LNG trains, each planned to have an output capacity of about 8 million t/y. 

QatarEnergy’s largest award in 2022 was a $4.5bn EPC contract that was won by Saipem for the building and installation of two gas compression facilities as part of the second development phase of its NFPS project. The gas compression complexes covered in the package known as EPCI 2 will weigh 62,000 tonnes and 63,000 tonnes and will be the largest fixed steel jacket compression platforms ever built.

Abu Dhabi ambitions

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) adopted a five-year business plan in November last year that covers a capex budget of $150bn for 2023-27. The budget also sets the target of achieving its oil production capacity goal of 5 million b/d by 2027 rather than 2030.

The oil production increment projects that it has under execution are expected to play a key role in enabling the Abu Dhabi major to attain its accelerated oil capacity target.

The largest of Adnoc’s under execution projects is a $1.4bn EPC contract awarded to Spanish contractor Tecnicas Reunidas in late 2018 for upgrading the Bu Hasa onshore oil field development. Through this project, Adnoc plans to increase the Bu Hasa field’s production from 500,000 b/d to 650,000 b/d. 

On the gas production front – a core priority for Adnoc – $1.5bn-worth of EPC contracts were awarded to Abu Dhabi’s National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) and Tecnicas Reunidas in November 2021 for the offshore and onshore packages, respectively, of the Dalma sour gas field development project.

When completed in 2025, the project will enable the Dalma field to produce about 340 million cf/d of natural gas.

The Abu Dhabi energy giant further intends to raise its total gas output by 3 billion cf/d in the next few years. The Hail and Ghasha offshore sour gas production project will be central to achieving this goal.

In January, Adnoc signed pre-construction services agreements (PCSAs) with France-headquartered Technip Energies, South Korean contractor Samsung Engineering and Italy’s Tecnimont for the Hail and Ghasha onshore package. Saipem, NPCC and state-owned China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Company secured a PCSA for the offshore package.

While the onshore and offshore PCSAs awarded to the two consortiums by Adnoc are valued at $80m and $60m, respectively, the EPC packages are estimated to be worth $5.5bn and $5bn.

As part of the PCSAs, the contractors are required to perform initial detailed engineering and procurement for important long-lead items. 

Based on proposals to be submitted later this year, Adnoc is expected to award the same contractors the contracts for the main EPC works on the Hail and Ghasha project.

Production from the Ghasha concession, where the Dalma and Hail and Ghasha fields are located, is expected to start in 2025, ramping up to more than 1.5 billion cf/d before the end of this decade. 

Main image: Saudi Aramco tops the ranking of state energy enterprises in the Mena region with almost $41bn-worth of projects under execution. Credit: Aramco

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/10791190/main.gif
Indrajit Sen

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • PIF to work with Egypt’s TMG on Saudi real estate schemes

    11 June 2026

    Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Egyptian real estate conglomerate Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration on mixed-use real estate projects across PIF-owned developments in Saudi Arabia.

    The non-binding agreement covers potential cooperation across the residential, commercial, hospitality and retail sectors, as well as integrated urban environments. PIF said the partnership would accelerate project delivery and value creation across its portfolio.

    TMG, which has nearly 55 years of experience developing large-scale integrated cities, communities and hospitality projects across Egypt, brings technical and managerial capacity to the collaboration. The company previously signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company (NHC) in early 2024 to develop more than 27,000 residential units at the Banan City project in Riyadh’s Al-Fursan suburb.

    The MoU also establishes a framework to attract additional investors to future project phases and is intended to expand private sector participation as investors, partners and suppliers.

    PIF said the agreement forms part of its broader strategy to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and develop its urban development and livability ecosystem – one of six strategic ecosystems under its 2026-30 strategy. That ecosystem spans housing, retail, office and community spaces and essential services.

    The MoU is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent and receipt of all necessary regulatory and internal approvals.

    > Be recognised among the best in the industry at the MEED Projects Awards 2026 …

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17181887/main.png
    Colin Foreman
  • Egypt signs $420m Gabal El-Zeit wind agreements

    10 June 2026

    Egypt has signed agreements worth $420m for the investment, operation and power purchase of the 580MW Gabal El-Zeit wind power complex in the Red Sea region.

    Gabal El-Zeit 1 has a capacity of 240MW, while Gabal El-Zeit 2 and 3 have capacities of 220MW and 120MW, respectively.

    The agreements were signed between Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) and Dubai-based Alcazar Energy.

    Under the agreements, Alcazar Energy will invest in, operate and manage the farms through a project company established under Egyptian law.

    The company will be responsible for technical operations, maintenance and efficiency upgrades while maintaining a minimum capacity of 580MW throughout the contract period.

    The Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company will purchase the electricity generated by the plant.

    The agreements follow earlier efforts to privatise the Gabal El-Zeit wind complex, involving a deal with UK-headquartered private equity firm Actis.

    According to the Egyptian government, the project supports the country’s state ownership policy and national energy strategy, which aim to increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix to 45%.

    The Gabal El-Zeit area on Egypt’s Red Sea coast is one of the country’s most established wind power development zones. The latest Gabal El-Zeit wind farm was completed in 2014, according to MEED Projects data. Germany’s Siemens Gamesa was the main contractor. 

    > Be recognised among the best in the industry at the MEED Projects Awards 2026 …

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17170360/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Majid Al-Futtaim awards $545m Ghaf Woods contract to ECC

    10 June 2026

    Majid Al-Futtaim Properties has appointed Engineering Contracting Company (ECC) as the main contractor for the Capria East, Capria West and Maravelle Residences developments at its Ghaf Woods community in Dubai, in a deal valued at AED2bn ($545m).

    The contract covers the construction of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplex residences across the two Capria clusters.

    The award adds to a series of major construction contracts Majid Al-Futtaim has issued across its Dubai communities in recent years.

    In May, local contractor Al-Sahel Contracting was awarded a AED700m contract for the Distrikt development, also at Ghaf Woods.

    In 2024, Majid Al-Futtaim awarded AED3bn in contracts for its Tilal Al-Ghaf community, appointing Innovo Build to build 94 waterfront villas at Elysian Mansions and United Engineering Construction (Unec) to deliver 130 villas at the Alaya development.

    > Be recognised among the best in the industry at the MEED Projects Awards 2026 …

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17170744/main.jpg
    Colin Foreman
  • Saudi Arabia and Turkiye sign railway agreements

    10 June 2026

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the railway and logistics sectors, advancing Riyadh’s ambitions to become a global logistics hub.

    Transport and Logistics Services Minister Saleh Al-Jasser and Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu signed the agreements at the ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh on 9 June, following ministerial talks held with a high-level Turkish delegation. Transport General Authority president Fawaz Al-Sahli and officials from the kingdom’s transport and logistics sector were also present.

    Agreement scope

    The first MoU covers logistics services and operations, including the exchange of expertise, policies and regulations. The second focuses on railway technologies, signalling and communication systems, railway digitalisation, human capacity development, the localisation of the railway industry and measures to reduce the sector’s environmental impact.

    More broadly, the agreements cover cooperation on railway standards and related innovations, the exchange of expertise on the design, operation and maintenance of rail projects, and engineering, infrastructure and safety standards.

    The two sides will also cooperate on research and development, with provision for joint workforce training through specialist railway academies.

    Riyadh said the agreements will help support its National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services and Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to position the kingdom as a logistics bridge connecting three continents.

    Turkish projects

    Turkish contractors have already established themselves as key players in the region’s rail sector. In 2012, Yapi Merkezi secured a $2.1bn contract for work on the Haramain high-speed rail network in Saudi Arabia, while Turkish firms Mapa and Limak are leading the ongoing civil works on Dubai’s $5.5bn Metro Blue Line project as part of a China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC) consortium. Turkish consultancy Proyapi Muhendislik ve Musavirlik Anonim Sirketi has also won design contracts for the 111km Kuwait National Rail Road project.

    The agreements signed by Saudi Arabia and Turkiye may also give momentum to longstanding discussions around a rail corridor linking the GCC with Turkiye. The route, which has been discussed for years, has gained renewed impetus in recent months as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed regional governments to accelerate the development of overland trade alternatives.

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

    GCC looks beyond the Strait; Iraq’s reform window narrows as fiscal assumptions shatter; MEED Top 100 companies.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the June 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17169958/main.gif
    Colin Foreman
  • Joint venture tenders Algeria field development contract

    10 June 2026

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Hassi Bir Rekaiz Group (GHBR), which operates Algeria’s Hassi Bir Rekaiz field, has issued a tender for phase 2A of the asset’s field development project.

    GHBR is a joint venture of Algeria’s national oil and gas company Sonatrach and Thailand’s national exploration and production company PTTEP.

    The scope of the contract focuses on the “provision of engineering and supervision services”, according to documents published by Sonatrach.

    The tender has been issued with a bid deadline of 16 June 2026.

    In May, GHBR signed a $1.1bn contract for phase two of the Hassi Bir Rekaiz development project.

    The contract was won by a consortium of Egypt’s Petrojet and Italian engineering and contracting company Arkad.

    Petrojet’s portion of the project was estimated to be worth around $600m, and Arkad’s portion was estimated to be worth $500m.

    The contract used the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning model.

    The scope of the project contract is focused on the construction of a central processing facility (CPF) capable of processing crude oil and associated gas.

    It also includes developing off-plot pipelines, as well as related utilities and infrastructure.

    The CPF will have the capacity to process 32,000 barrels a day (b/d) and will be designed to support future expansions.

    The related infrastructure will include an extensive pipeline network spanning approximately 217 kilometres, as well as a road network.

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

    GCC looks beyond the Strait; Iraq’s reform window narrows as fiscal assumptions shatter; MEED Top 100 companies.

    Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the June 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17163750/main3325.jpg
    Wil Crisp