Contractors submit prices for Master Gas System package
29 May 2024
Register for MEED's guest programme
Saudi Aramco has received revised commercial bids from contractors for package 9 of the third expansion phase of the Master Gas System network (MGS-3) in Saudi Arabia.
Contractors submitted revised prices for the package by 26 May, according to sources. The previous bid submission deadlines were 15 April, 6 May and 20 May.
The estimated $10bn MGS-3 project consists of 17 engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) packages. Aramco received technical bids for the 15 pipeline packages of the MGS-3 project, including package 9, during the third and fourth weeks of August. Contractors submitted commercial bids for the pipeline packages during the last two weeks of September, MEED previously reported.
While Aramco has selected contractors for 14 EPC packages of the MGS-3 project, prices submitted by bidders for package 9 are understood to have “exceeded Aramco’s budget”, according to sources.
Sources said this is understood to be the main reason Aramco sought revised commercial proposals for the package, adding that the scope of work on the package has also been modified.
The original scope of work on package 9 involved laying a 56-inch pipeline covering 458 kilometres from booster gas compression station 10 to sector 1 STS-2.
Master Gas System-3 EPC packages
Aramco has divided EPC works on the MGS-3 project into 17 packages. The first two packages involve upgrading existing gas compression systems and installing new gas compressors. The 15 other packages relate to laying gas transport pipelines across various locations in the kingdom.
The following contractors have been selected by Aramco for 15 EPC packages of the MGS-3 project:
- Package 1 – China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Company (China)
- Package 2 – Sepco (China)
- Packages 3 and 12 – Gas Arabian (Saudi Arabia)
- Package 4 – Mapa (Turkiye)
- Package 5 – Bin Quraya (Saudi Arabia)
- Packages 6 and 7 – Sinopec Petroleum Services (China)
- Package 8 – Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon (India)
- Packages 10 and 14 – Nesma & Partners (Saudi Arabia) / Sicim (Italy)
- Package 11 – Max Streicher (Germany) / National Basics Company (Saudi Arabia)
- Packages 13, 15 and 17 – Kalpataru Projects International Limited (India)
Three of the selected contractors – China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Company (CPECC), Sepco Electric Power Construction Corporation (Sepco) and Kalpataru Projects International Limited – said they received official letters of award from Aramco for their packages.
Other successful bidders, including Indian contractor Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon and Saudi Arabia-based Gas Arabian Services Company, have confirmed that they have received letters of intent from Aramco for their respective EPC packages, although they are yet to receive formal contracts.
Aramco is due to hold an official contract signing ceremony with contractors it has selected for the various packages of the MGS-3 project on 30 June, MEED recently reported.
Meanwhile, package 16, originally part of the tendering process for the MGS-3 project, has been carved out as a separate tender by Aramco. Contractors are preparing bids for package 16, which are due to be submitted by 30 May.
The original Master Gas System (MGS) was built in the 1970s and commissioned in 1982. Since then, Aramco has been supplying natural gas to its customers across Saudi Arabia via the network, mainly channelling associated gas from Ghawar and other oil fields.
Over the past decade, amid rising gas demand from Saudi Arabia’s industrial and household sectors, Aramco has undertaken projects to increase its non-associated gas production. In 2015, it launched the second expansion phase of the MGS (MGS-2).
Local contractor Arkad Engineering & Construction won the three main pipeline packages of MGS-2, worth an estimated $1.3bn, in early 2016.
EPC works were completed in 2021, increasing the MGS network’s gas handling and transport capacity from 8.4 billion cubic feet a day (cf/d) to 12.5 billion cf/d.
Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.
Exclusive from Meed
-
Safety and security matters3 April 2026
-
Saudi forecast remains one of growth3 April 2026
-
-
-
Oman’s Nama PWP tenders consultancy contract3 April 2026
All of this is only 1% of what MEED.com has to offer
Subscribe now and unlock all the 153,671 articles on MEED.com
- All the latest news, data, and market intelligence across MENA at your fingerprints
- First-hand updates and inside information on projects, clients and competitors that matter to you
- 20 years' archive of information, data, and news for you to access at your convenience
- Strategize to succeed and minimise risks with timely analysis of current and future market trends
Related Articles
-
Safety and security matters
3 April 2026
Commentary
Colin Foreman
EditorRead the April issue of MEED Business Review
Employment and investment opportunities in a low or no-tax environment have been key attractions for people and businesses located in the GCC for decades. Another crucial factor has been safety and security.
That reputation has been tested by the missile and drone attacks that began on 28 February. Whether the GCC’s safe haven status has been damaged depends on perspective.
For some, the fact that attacks occurred fundamentally changes how the region is viewed. For others, the ability to absorb a serious shock, respond quickly, and keep daily life and businesses functioning demonstrates resilience.Any assessment of safety is also relative. Many people and businesses that relocate in the GCC do so not only for opportunity, but because of dissatisfaction elsewhere. Common reasons include limited economic prospects, high taxation, distrust in political leadership and concerns about personal safety. Even with the recent conflict, the GCC may still compare favourably for those considering these factors.
There is no doubt that missile and drone attacks are extremely dangerous, and the fear of further incidents can linger. Even if attacks are infrequent, the uncertainty matters. It can influence personal decisions, travel advice, and the cost of insurance and risk management. These perceptions will shape the region’s attractiveness.
Safety concerns vary. In many parts of the world, higher levels of crime are an everyday worry for residents and businesses. For some, the GCC may still feel like the better option, provided the current tensions do not become the new normal.
How this question is answered will play an important role in how the region’s economies perform in the period ahead. If confidence returns quickly and the risk is seen as contained and manageable, investment and hiring will likely rebound faster than many expect. If uncertainty persists or escalates, the road to recovery will be a long one.
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFEconomic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf economies under fire> GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift> MARKET FOCUS: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift> QATAR LNG: Qatar’s new $8bn investment heats up global LNG race> LEADERSHIP: Shaping the future of passenger rail in the Middle EastTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16250747/main.gif -
Saudi forecast remains one of growth
3 April 2026
MEED’s April 2026 report on Saudi Arabia includes:
> COMMENT: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift
> GVT &: ECONOMY: Riyadh navigates a changed landscape
> BANKING: Testing times for Saudi banks
> UPSTREAM: Offshore oil and gas projects to dominate Aramco capex in 2026
> DOWNSTREAM: Saudi downstream projects market enters lean period
> POWER: Wind power gathers pace in Saudi Arabia
> WATER: Sharakat plan signals next phase of Saudi water expansion
> CONSTRUCTION: Saudi construction enters a period of strategic readjustment
> TRANSPORT: Rail expansion powers Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure pushTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16250096/main.gif -
Dubai seeks consultants for Al-Khawaneej stormwater project
3 April 2026
Dubai Municipality has issued a consultancy tender to assess and upgrade the stormwater drainage system serving the Al-Khawaneej First residential district in northeastern Dubai.
The project, listed as TF-22-E1, covers the upgrading and rehabilitation of the stormwater system in the area. The tender has been issued by the municipality’s Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department.
The bid submission deadline is 23 April.
The works form part of Dubai’s wider efforts to strengthen flood resilience and support sustainable urban infrastructure development.
Two separate consultancy tenders were issued in March as part of a broader review of the emirate’s water and wastewater infrastructure to support future population growth.
One involves a study to develop a sustainable urban drainage systems strategy across the emirate. The other covers a review of the emirate’s sewage treatment and recycled water distribution strategy.
The Al-Khawaneej First consultancy role will include data collection, site investigations and an assessment of existing drainage conditions.
Additionally, the consultant will be required to identify flooding hotspots and evaluate the performance of the current system.
The project covers the preparation of preliminary and detailed designs, tender documents and construction packages as well as construction supervision through to project handover.
The municipality added that integrated drainage solutions are to be developed as part of the package, including sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and nature-based approaches to address current and future stormwater demand.
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFEconomic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf economies under fire> GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift> MARKET FOCUS: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift> QATAR LNG: Qatar’s new $8bn investment heats up global LNG race> LEADERSHIP: Shaping the future of passenger rail in the Middle EastTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16249098/main.jpg -
Developer plans two residential schemes in Saudi Arabia
3 April 2026
Saudi developer Alramz Real Estate is planning two new residential developments in Jeddah and Riyadh.
In a Tadawul filing on 31 March, Alramz said it had signed an agreement with Oud Capital to establish a sharia-compliant real estate investment fund to develop the Alramz Front project in Jeddah’s Al-Firdous district.
The fund is targeting approximately SR650m ($173m), with Alramz committing about SR81.6m. The company will also contribute land totalling around 47,800 square metres, valued at SR215m, as an in-kind contribution.
The project is expected to deliver nearly 900 residential units. Alramz will serve as developer and exclusive marketer under a development contract valued at about SR269m.
Separately, Alramz said it had acquired mixed-use plots in Riyadh’s Al-Malqa district for SR94.6m. The 8,600 sq m site will be developed into a residential scheme comprising approximately 135 apartments.
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFEconomic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf economies under fire> GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift> MARKET FOCUS: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift> QATAR LNG: Qatar’s new $8bn investment heats up global LNG race> LEADERSHIP: Shaping the future of passenger rail in the Middle EastTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16249064/main.jpg -
Oman’s Nama PWP tenders consultancy contract
3 April 2026
Oman’s Nama Power & Water Procurement Company (Nama PWP) has opened a tender for the provision of environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting consultancy services.
The tender seeks proposals from interested parties to support the utility in assessing its ESG maturity and identifying gaps against the Oman Investment Authority’s ESG guidelines.
The deadline for firms to submit offers is 10 May.
According to the tender notice, the selected consultant will develop the required ESG policies, strategy, report and implementation roadmap.
Nama PWP, part of Nama Group, said the scope of work is intended to support the company’s wider ESG framework as it continues to procure new power and water capacity in Oman.
The utility also recently opened a tender seeking proposals from qualified law firms to provide legal consultancy services in Oman.
The selected firms will be included on a panel and engaged on an as-needed basis. They will deliver legal advisory services across a range of matters relevant to Nama PWP’s business.
The deadline for firms to submit offers is 21 April.
In March, the state utility released its latest seven-year plan outlining the rapid expansion of solar and wind projects.
It expects the renewable energy share of Oman’s power generation mix to increase steadily across the period, reaching 16% in 2028 and 21% in 2029 before rising to 30% in 2030. This compares to about 4% in 2024.
The pipeline includes a series of large-scale independent power projects scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2031.
Solar photovoltaic capacity in the sultanate is projected to rise from 1.54GW in 2024 to 23.26GW by 2031. Wind capacity is expected to grow from 120MW to 6.75GW,
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFEconomic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf economies under fire> GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift> MARKET FOCUS: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift> QATAR LNG: Qatar’s new $8bn investment heats up global LNG race> LEADERSHIP: Shaping the future of passenger rail in the Middle EastTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16249021/main.jpg