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  Mena LNG infrastructure spending sees uptick

  27 October 2025

  This package also includes: Gulf LNG sector enters a new prolific phase

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  The Gulf states – in particular Qatar, Oman and the UAE – are dominating the liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and export race in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, as well as globally. 

  With the energy transition gaining momentum worldwide, and driven by a need to increase the share of gas in their energy mixes, other regional countries are also investing in building LNG import infrastructure.

  Kuwait’s state-energy conglomerate, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), is going through the final approval processes for a planned project to add a natural gas reliquefaction unit to Kuwait’s permanent LNG import facility.

  The final investment decision for the project was approved by KPC subsidiary Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (Kipic) in January. The front-end engineering and design (feed) study for the project was completed in November 2024, according to Kipic.

  This project is being developed to eliminate the flaring of boil-off gas, which occurs when supply rates from LNG import facilities drop below minimum design thresholds. The new unit will reliquefy natural gas through cooling processes and return it to storage tanks in liquid form.

  Importing gas

  Iraq is presently reliant on imported gas from Iran in order to address its domestic needs. The country has sufficient gas reserves to meet its domestic demand, but it has failed to develop the necessary infrastructure to capture, process and transport the gas to end-users.

  However, in October, US-based Excelerate Energy announced that it had won a contract to develop an integrated floating LNG (FLNG) import terminal in Iraq. Development of the project will be led by Excelerate in coordination with the Iraqi government.

  The FLNG facility will be developed at Khor Al-Zubair port in Basra and will have a capacity of 500 million standard cubic feet a day (cf/d).

  Plans are also under way to build further LNG reception infrastructure, including a jetty and a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), at Iraq’s Al-Faw Grand Port. 

  Jordan, which also relies heavily on natural gas for its power and industrial needs, has pushed ahead with plans to increase LNG imports by developing a new LNG terminal.

  In August 2024, Jordan’s Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) awarded the main contract for a project to develop the Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah LNG onshore regasification facility at the port of Aqaba.

  The contract was won by a consortium of Singapore-based AG&P and South Korea’s Gas Entec, along with their local partner, Jordan’s Issa Haddadin. AG&P has majority ownership of Gas Entec and ADC is owned by the Government of Jordan and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority.

  The facility will have the capacity to process 720 million cf/d of natural gas. The project is scheduled to be completed, commissioned and delivered within 22 months, with the project due to be commissioned by the second quarter of 2026. 

  The new permanent LNG import terminal is expected to replace an existing FSRU located in Aqaba port that began operations earlier this year.

  Jordan … has pushed ahead with plans to increase LNG imports by developing a new LNG terminal

  Building infrastructure

  Egypt already has two LNG export terminals, located at Idku and Damietta. The facilities enable the export of LNG from domestic fields and from regional partners.

  The country is now exploring plans for an LNG terminal in Port Said, according to a recent statement from the Petroleum & Mineral Resources Ministry. Karim Badawi, the petroleum & mineral resources minister, has met with the chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, Osama Rabie, to discuss the establishment of the terminal, which will supply the authority’s vessels.

  In Algeria, national oil and gas company Sonatrach has brought a processing train back online at the Arzew-Bethioua LNG terminal as part of a major project to upgrade the facility.

  The Arzew-Bethioua terminal is one of the oldest operational LNG export terminals. The train, known as T-300, became operational after a new main cryogenic heat exchanger (MCHE) was commissioned.

  The upgrade is part of a contract with US-based Honeywell to replace four MCHEs at the facility. Originally signed with Air Products, Honeywell acquired the contract when it bought Air Products’ LNG process technology and equipment business in September 2024.

  The work on the Algerian LNG terminal is being led by state-controlled Societe de Maintenance Industrielle d’Arzew (Somiz). As part of the upgrade, each of the train’s existing capacities of 75,000 tonnes a year (t/y) is being increased to 1.3 million t/y. A total of 5.2 million t/y of LNG capacity is set to return once all four units are fully back online.

  Meanwhile, Morocco’s Energy Transition & Sustainable Development Ministry is progressing with an LNG infrastructure project that includes an import terminal, pipelines and a gas power station. Located at Nador West Med Port, the terminal is expected to have the capacity to import 500 million cf/d.

  The scope of the LNG terminal portion of the project includes the design, construction, equipment, operation and maintenance of all offshore and onshore infrastructure elements of the terminal. It also includes all high-pressure gas systems.

  A dedicated berth is expected to be developed at the port. The terminal will either be an FSRU or a floating storage unit that has the regasification element developed on the jetty.

  Nador West Med Port is currently under construction and is expected to achieve commissioning by the end of 2026.

  Gulf LNG sector enters a new prolific phase 

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  Indrajit Sen
• 
  Gulf LNG sector enters a new prolific phase

  24 October 2025

  

   

  Liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been produced in the GCC since the 1970s. However, it is only since the start of this decade that regional producers have begun committing tens of billions of dollars to significantly ramp up output, driven by soaring global demand for the super-chilled fuel.

  The GCC is projected to add at least 80 million tonnes a year (t/y) of LNG capacity by 2030, placing it firmly among the world’s top three producing regions. 

  Qatar leads the Gulf’s push for LNG dominance as the region’s largest – and one of its earliest – LNG producers.

  State enterprise QatarEnergy has been producing LNG from the giant North Field offshore gas reserve in the Gulf waters, which it shares with Iran, since the 1980s. QatarEnergy currently produces 77.5 million t/y of LNG from 15 processing trains, all located in a sprawling complex in Ras Laffan Industrial City.

  Top spot

  QatarEnergy is on course to nearly double its LNG production to 142 million t/y by the end of the decade through its $40bn North Field LNG expansion programme.

  The energy giant is understood to have spent nearly $30bn on the first two phases of its North Field expansion – North Field East and North Field South – which will raise LNG production capacity from 77.5 million t/y to 126 million t/y by 2028. Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works on both projects are progressing.

  QatarEnergy awarded the main EPC contracts for the North Field East project in 2021. The project aims to boost LNG output to 110 million t/y by 2025. The $13bn EPC package – covering the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of four LNG trains, each with a capacity of 8 million t/y – was awarded in February 2021 to a consortium of Japan’s Chiyoda Corporation and France’s Technip Energies.

  In May 2023, QatarEnergy awarded the $10bn main EPC contract for the North Field South project to a consortium of Technip Energies and Lebanon-based Consolidated Contractors Company. 

  The contract includes two large LNG trains, each with a capacity of 7.8 million t/y.

  Once fully operational, the first two phases of the North Field expansion will add 48 million t/y of supply to the global LNG market.

  In February 2024, QatarEnergy announced the third phase of its North Field expansion – North Field West. The project will add 16 million t/y of LNG capacity through two processing trains of 8 million t/y each, following the model of earlier phases. It will source feedstock from the western zone of the offshore North Field reserve.

  Progress on the North Field West project has, however, been slow, and it has remained in the pre-front-end engineering and design (pre-feed) phase since its announcement.

  QatarEnergy is reportedly exploring options to fast-track it to the EPC stage.

  The first two phases of the North Field expansion will add 48 million t/y to the global LNG market

  Oman progress

  Oman has recently made significant progress in the global race to expand LNG production and exports. The Omani government made headlines in July last year, when it announced that majority state-owned Oman LNG would build a fourth train at its Qalhat LNG production complex in Sur.

  The new LNG train will have an output capacity of 3.8 million t/y, increasing Oman LNG’s total production capacity to 15.2 million t/y when it is commissioned in 2029.

  Oman LNG recently made key progress on its project to add a fourth processing train at the Sur LNG complex. The majority state-owned company has shortlisted a consortium of Chiyoda and South Korea’s Samsung C&T, Japanese contractor JGC Corporation and another consortium of Italian contractor Saipem and South Korea-based Daewoo Engineering & Construction to participate in the main tender for EPC works.

  Technical and commercial bids are due in February and March 2026, respectively.

  The EPC tender process began less than a year after Oman LNG awarded the feed contract to US-based consultancy KBR.

  Separately, France’s TotalEnergies is studying a potential expansion of its Marsa LNG bunkering and export terminal in Oman. The move is significant considering that the first phase of the project is currently under construction in the sultanate’s northern industrial city of Sohar, and will have an output capacity of 1 million t/y.

  TotalEnergies purportedly began an initial study on a potential second phase of the Marsa LNG facility earlier this year. The French energy major may consider doubling the output capacity of the LNG complex, although the plan is yet to be confirmed, according to sources.

  Earlier in the year, TotalEnergies appointed Technip Energies – already the main EPC contractor on the under- construction Marsa LNG terminal – as a consultant to perform concept and feasibility studies on the proposed second expansion phase.

  With Oman LNG advancing its fourth train and TotalEnergies mulling a potential doubling of LNG production in Oman, the sultanate is positioning itself as a key global LNG player by 2030.

  

  UAE plans

  Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has historically been one of the GCC’s smaller LNG producers. Its subsidiary, Adnoc Gas, operates three large gas processing trains on Das Island. 

  The Das Island terminal has a liquefaction and export capacity of about 6 million t/y. The first two trains, commissioned in the 1970s, provide a combined 2.9 million t/y, while the third, added in the mid-1990s, contributes 3.2 million t/y.

  Adnoc Gas will significantly expand its LNG capacity with a new greenfield terminal in Ruwais, set to come online in 2028.  The terminal will add 9.6 million t/y of LNG capacity via two 4.8 million t/y trains.

  Adnoc awarded the $5.5bn EPC contract in June 2024 to a consortium of Technip Energies, JGC Corporation, and NMDC Energy, coinciding with its final investment decision.

  Along with the main processing trains, the Ruwais LNG complex will also feature process units, storage tanks and an export jetty for loading cargoes and LNG bunkering, as well as utilities, flare handling systems and associated buildings. The facility will ship LNG mainly to key Asian markets, such as Pakistan, India, China, South Korea and Japan. 

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  Indrajit Sen
• 
  NHC signs Al-Fursan project deal with South Korean firm

  24 October 2025

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  Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company (NHC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s GS Engineering & Construction to build a residential project in NHC’s Al‑Fursan suburb of Riyadh.

  The MoU was signed in Seoul earlier this week by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Majed Al‑Hogail, and NHC’s CEO, Mohammed Al‑Buty.

  In an official statement published by the Saudi Press Agency, NHC said: “The MoU extends the growing Saudi-Korean partnerships, strengthened by the signing of another MoU in November 2024 to develop the Balady Platform and implement digital twins and smart city applications, contributing to urban planning development and improved quality of life.”

  This is the second major project agreement NHC has signed for residential development within the Al‑Fursan district.

  In March last year, NHC and Egyptian real estate developer Talaat Moustafa Group signed an agreement to develop more than 27,000 residential units at NHC’s Banan City project in the Al‑Fursan suburb.

  The project will cover an area of 10 million square metres and include hospitals, schools, retail, sports facilities and other public amenities.

  In 2023, NHC and Saudi Arabia’s Housing Ministry signed investment agreements totalling more than SR24bn ($6.4bn) to launch the Al-Fursan residential project.

  Al‑Fursan is described as the largest scheme in terms of area and number of housing units that NHC is implementing in partnership with other real estate developers. 

  For the district’s first phase, 18 real estate development agreements were signed with companies including Retal Urban Development Company and Sumou Real Estate Company.

  NHC also signed four consultancy contracts to manage projects and supervise implementation of phase one and the deployment of comprehensive infrastructure works.

  Other deals involved the development of facilities, including commercial and recreational areas, hospitals, health and sports centres, mosques and schools.

  MEED reported in 2020 that Riyadh planned to oversee the development of more than 1 million homes by 2025 to meet growing demand in the kingdom.

  By 2030, the Saudi capital aims to more than double its population, from 7-8 million to 15-20 million, and become one of the 10 wealthiest cities in the world.

  

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  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  October 2025: Data drives regional projects

  24 October 2025

  Click here to download the PDF

  Includes: Commodity tracker | Construction risk | Brent Spot Price | Construction output

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  MEED’s November 2025 report on the UAE includes:

  > COMMENT: Investment shapes UAE growth story
  > GOVERNMENT: Public spending ties the UAE closer together
  > ECONOMY: UAE growth expansion beats expectations
  > BANKING: Stability is the watchword for UAE lenders
  > OIL & GAS: Adnoc strives to build long-term upstream potential
  > PETROCHEMICALS: Taziz fulfils Abu Dhabi’s chemical ambitions at pace
  > POWER: UAE power sector hits record $8.9bn in contracts
  > WATER: Tunnel projects set pace for UAE water sector
  > CONSTRUCTION: UAE construction faces delivery pressures
  > TRANSPORT: $70bn infrastructure schemes underpin UAE economic expansion

  To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here

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  MEED Editorial
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  Oman tenders industrial city infrastructure contracts

  24 October 2025

  

   

  Oman’s Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) has issued two tenders for infrastructure development works at Al‑Suwaiq Industrial City in Al‑Batinah North Governorate and Madha Industrial City in Musandam Governorate.

  Madayn issued a tender on 21 October inviting companies to bid for a contract to develop the first phase of the infrastructure and utilities network at Al‑Suwaiq Industrial City.

  The scope covers construction of a building, greenhouses, roads, water network, electricity and sewage networks, and other associated facilities.

  The bid submission deadline is 30 November.

  The tender for construction of infrastructure works at Madha Industrial City was also issued on 21 October, with a submission deadline of 30 November. 

  In December 2023, Madayn inaugurated two projects at Al-Mazunah Free Zone valued at RO9.5m ($25m), including a facility building project and phase one package two and phases two and three at Al-Mazunah Free Zone.

  Madayn, OQ Refineries & Petrochemical Industries and the Industrial Innovation Academy signed an agreement in June 2022 to set up Ladayn Polymer Park in Sohar.

  At that time, Madayn also signed seven land‑usufruct agreements with an extendable duration of 33 years at reduced prices with the investors.

  According to a report from UK-based data analytics provider GlobalData, the output of the Omani construction industry is expected to register annual growth of 4.2% from 2025 to 2027, supported by investments in economic zones, renewable energy, manufacturing and tourism projects under Vision 2040.

  

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/14933905/main.jpg

  Yasir Iqbal