meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Morocco gas and fertiliser project activity surges

13 July 2023

> Maghreb energy project activity doubles
> Morocco fertiliser project progresses towards approval
> Morocco fertiliser company plans four solar plants
> Nigeria to invest $12.5bn in Morocco pipeline
> Genel in talks to develop Moroccan oil assets
> Design completed for Moroccan gas project

 

Over the past three years, Morocco has seen a surge in early-stage gas and chemical project activity that could potentially be worth multibillion dollars.

The country is taking advantage of its proximity to Europe and demand for fertilisers as well as its potential to benefit as a possible transit route for natural gas.

At the same time, it is advancing exploration and production projects for natural gas that may pay dividends over the long term.

While many of the projects are in their early stages, and some of the largest projects are highly speculative, it is likely that some will ultimately see contracts awarded over the coming years.

Nigeria pipeline

The planned $25bn Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline is currently the biggest project in Morocco’s gas sector and is also one of the most speculative.

As the project spans 13 countries, it is complicated and will need cooperation between all of the nations involved to succeed.

Despite the challenges, there has been significant progress on the project.

In April, Nigeria’s National Petroleum Company (NNPC) said it was preparing to invest $12.5bn to secure a 50 per cent equity stake in the project.

At the time, Mallam Mele Kyari, group CEO of NNPC, said the first phase of the front-end engineering and design (feed) work had been completed, and the second phase of the feed work was under way.

Earlier this month, NNPC tendered contracts to carry out survey work for pipeline sections with a bid deadline of 20 September this year.

Morocco will host 1,672 kilometres of the pipeline. The country’s head of state, King Mohammed VI, has described it as a strategic turning point that will significantly advance the development of West Africa. The project will extend for 5,600km in total.

The 13 countries involved in the project signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons & Mines in December 2022.

Regasification

Other midstream gas projects active in Morocco include two liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminals.

One of these was first announced in 2021 after Algeria shut down a gas pipeline between the two countries.

The client on this project is Morocco’s Ministry of Energy & Mining, and the terminal is due to be developed near the capital city of Rabat.

It is part of a gas-to-power project, and the entire project is estimated to have a value of $1.3bn.

Contractors have submitted bids on this project, but contracts are yet to be awarded.

The second regasification terminal has an estimated value of $200m and is due to be located in Morocco’s Mohammedia Port.

This project is also being developed by Morocco’s Ministry of Energy & Mining and was first announced in 2021.

Like the project slated to be developed near Rabat, bids have been submitted, but contracts are yet to be awarded.

Upstream

Although Morocco continues to be a net gas importer, there has been progress on upstream gas projects within the country since 2021.

In December last year, the Anchois project offshore Morocco took a step forward after London-based Chariot agreed the key principles of a gas sales deal.

Anchois hosts about 1.5 trillion cubic feet of potential gas resources and is being developed via subsea wells tied back direct to an onshore gas processing plant.

Chariot said that, together with its field partner, state-owned ONHYM, it had agreed key principles for long-term gas sales from Anchois with Morocco’s National Office of Electricity & Drinking Water (Onee).

These principles included gas sales of up to 600 million cubic metres a year on a take-or-pay basis for a minimum of 10 years, with gas to be delivered via the Maghreb-Europe gas pipeline.

Earlier this month, another London-listed oil company, Sound Energy, secured funding to execute the second development phase of the company’s Tendrara production concession in Morocco.

The company confirmed the funding arrangement in a statement and said it has “now received a conditioned offer from the arranger for a maximum financing of $237m”, subject to certain conditions being met by September 2023.

Morocco’s Attijariwafa Bank will finance the gas field’s second development phase.

Sound Energy said that the financial facility will be used for the “design, drilling, construction and operation of wells, a treatment facility and a gas pipeline to transport and sell the natural gas produced under the Tendrara production concession”.

The Tendrara gas development project has a total estimated value of $1bn.

Additionally, in December last year, the Israeli independent oil and gas company NewMed Energy struck a controversial deal to take a stake in an exploration licence offshore the disputed territory of Western Sahara.

Morocco currently controls Western Sahara, although the African Union and United Nations do not recognise Rabat’s sovereignty, while the indigenous Saharawi people are fighting for independence.

NewMed Energy signed an agreement with the Moroccan Ministry for Energy & Mining and Adarco Energy to explore and produce natural gas in the offshore Boujdour Atlantique block.

NewMed and Adarco will each have a 37.5 per cent stake in the licence partnership, while the Moroccan ministry will hold the remaining 25 per cent. The licence has been granted for eight years.

The Boujdour Atlantique block was previously operated by US oil company Kosmos Energy, which held a 55 per cent stake in the permit, while its partner UK company Capricorn – a subsidiary of Cairn Energy – had 20 per cent.

The remaining 25 per cent was in the hands of ONHYM.

Fertilisers

Morocco has seen an uptick in activity in ammonia and fertiliser projects in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war.

In June 2022, the Moroccan phosphate giant OCP announced that its net income had more than doubled compared to the previous year, mostly attributed to the rise in fertiliser prices due to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Morocco is among the world's top four exporters of fertiliser products, after Russia, China and Canada.

It has a large fertiliser industry, mainly due to its large phosphate reserves, one of the key minerals from which fertilisers are produced.

In January, OCP announced that it had signed supply agreements with India for 1.7 million tonnes of phosphate-based fertilisers in 2023.

Under the deals, OCP will supply India with 700,000 tonnes of a nitrogen-free fertiliser known as triple super phosphate (TSP), in addition to 1 million tonnes of diammonium phosphate (DAP).

One Moroccan fertiliser project that is seeing progress is the Khemisset potash project in the north of the country.

In April, Emmerson, the company developing the project, said it was progressing towards final approval for the project’s environmental permit.

The potash project is anticipated to have a pre-production cost of $387m. It is expected to be able to produce, on average, 810,000 tonnes of muriate of potash (MOP), with a potassium content of 60 per cent, every year over the mine’s first 19 years of production.

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/10999825/main.gif
Wil Crisp

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

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Read the December 2025 MEED Business Review

    28 November 2025

    Download / Subscribe / 14-day trial access

    The region boasts a pipeline of over $140bn-worth of railway schemes, according to data from regional projects tracker MEED Projects.

    This puts the GCC at the centre of global rail construction activity, with progress being made on several large-scale rail schemes.

    From the Qiddiya high-speed rail in Saudi Arabia to the planned expansion of Dubai’s metro network and the long-awaited revival of the GCC railway, a new wave of projects is shaping the region’s economic future.

    As leading construction, engineering and technology firms either expand or return to the region after years of reduced activity, MEED’s latest issue of MEED Business Review looks at the scale and ambition of ongoing rail projects.

    We also consider the region’s growing role as a rail hub, with an increasing need for ongoing servicing, upgrades and new technologies.

    This month’s market focus covers Bahrain, where Manama is pushing ahead with diversification amid mounting fiscal constraints and external pressures.

    MEED’s latest issue also includes our 2025 EPC contractor ranking, as well as analysis on the cost advantages, technological gains and strong execution giving Chinese contractors a regional edge.

    This edition is bursting with features and interviews. The team looks at Libya's ramp up of oil activity; visits the under-construction Aramco Stadium in Khobar as it races towards completion; provides an update on Abu Dhabi's $6bn solar and storage project; and interviews Turki AlShehri, regional vice president for Saudi Arabia and the GCC at French power and water developer Engie.

    We hope our valued subscribers enjoy the December 2025 issue of MEED Business Review. 

     

    Must-read sections in the December 2025 issue of MEED Business Review include:

    > AGENDA: 
    > Regional rail construction surges ahead
    > Middle East becomes a hub as rail networks mature

    INDUSTRY REPORT:
    EPC contractor ranking
    > Larsen & Toubro climbs EPC contractor ranking
    > Chinese firms expand oil and gas presence

    > CURRENT AFFAIRS: Oil companies ramp up activity in Libya

    > CONSTRUCTION: Aramco Stadium races towards completion

    > RENEWABLES: UAE moves ahead with $6bn solar and storage project

    > INTERVIEW: Engie pivots towards renewables projects

    > BAHRAIN MARKET REPORT: 
    > COMMENT: Manama pursues reform amid strain
    > GVT & ECONOMY: Bahrain’s cautious economic evolution
    > BANKING: Mergers loom over Bahrain’s banking system
    > OIL & GAS: Bahrain remains in pursuit of hydrocarbon resources
    > POWER & WATER: Bahrain advances utility reform
    > CONSTRUCTION: Bahrain construction faces major slowdown
    > TRANSPORT: Air Asia aviation deal boosts connectivity
    > DATABANK: Bahrain’s economy walks precarious path

    > MEED COMMENTS: 
    > Bahrain’s willingness to disrupt takes flight with Air Asia
    > Projects shift from spending plans to investment opportunities
    > Lukoil deal collapse puts $1.8bn of Iraq projects at risk
    > Clear rules drive Saudi Arabia's tariff edge

    > GULF PROJECTS INDEX: UAE fuels Gulf projects expansion

    > OCTOBER 2025 CONTRACTS: Saudi Arabia and UAE lead deal signings

    > ECONOMIC DATA: November 2025: Data drives regional projects

    > OPINION: Riyadh’s American bond

    > BUSINESS OUTLOOK: Finance, oil and gas, construction, power and water contracts

    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15168493/main.gif
    MEED Editorial
  • PDO starts Dhulaima field early phase development project

    28 November 2025

     

    Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has started the prequalification process for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works on a project to develop key on-plot facilities as part of an early phase development of the Dhulaima onshore field.

    The Dhulaima Upper Shuaiba field is located in the Lekhwair cluster in PDO’s Block 6 concession area. The Dhulaima early phase development project is to be executed on an operation lease contract for a duration of five years, PDO said in the prequalification document.

    Majority state-owned PDO floated the prequalification questionnaire on 18 November, and has set a deadline of 7 December for contractors to submit responses.

    The broad scope of work on the Dhulaima early phase development project covers EPC, as well as all associated civil, mechanical, piping, electrical, fabrication, instrumentation, control, testing, and pre-commissioning commissioning, and de-commissioning activities of the following on-plot facilities:

    • Gas injection compressor package: Complete gas injection compressor package with all auxiliary systems, associated piping, associated instrumentation for safeguarding and control, etc, as complete skid. All the necessary power, utilities as required for the compressor package and its driver shall be included as part of the scope, along with all associated systems, foundations, piping, electrical, instrumentation. Type of compressor and driver to be proposed by the bidders.
    • Gas injection manifold package: Complete gas injection manifold including all tie-ins to existing facilities, pipe supports, control valves, and instrumentation.

    PDO is the operator of the Block 6 hydrocarbons concession in Oman, which is the sultanate’s largest and most prolific concession. Situated onshore and covering an area of 75,119 square kilometres, Block 6 contains 202 oil fields and 43 gas fields.

    The Omani government holds a 60% stake in PDO, with the other shareholders being UK-based Shell (34%), France’s TotalEnergies (4%) and Thai state-owned PTTEP (2%).

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15169037/main.jpg
    Indrajit Sen
  • Top deals signed at Dubai Airshow 2025

    27 November 2025

    The Dubai Airshow 2025 drew to a close on 21 November, with deals exceeding $202bn, double the $101bn secured at the 18th edition in 2023. 

    This new milestone reinforces Dubai’s position as a global aviation hub and central force shaping the future of the aviation and space industries, according to a statement from the Government of Dubai Media Office.

    The 19th edition of the event, held at Dubai World Central under the theme ‘The Future is Here’, also drew record attendance, welcoming 248,788 visitors, including industry leaders, government officials and aviation specialists from across the globe. 

    More than 1,500 exhibitors took part, with 440 participating for the first time, along with 490 military and civil delegations from 115 countries. The show also included 21 national pavilions, 98 chalets, an extra 8,000 square metres of display space, and a startup ecosystem with 120 startups and 50 investors.

    One of the most globally diverse editions to date, this year’s airshow featured the usual mega-orders, but also a surprise fleet pivot and an emerging picture of the region’s biggest players taking control of their futures by influencing the development of tomorrow’s jets and securing their supply chains. 

    Anchor customer

    UAE national carriers placed orders for 502 aircraft during the five-day event, with Emirates leading the charge. On the first day of the airshow, Emirates announced a $38bn order for 65 new Boeing 777-9 aircraft. The airline also ordered 130 GE9X engines from GE Aerospace, which power the new twin-engined planes. 

    The deal gives Boeing a boost after the 777-9’s debut was delayed to 2027 – but equally significantly, it provides strong backing for Boeing’s feasibility study to develop the 777-10, a larger variant of its 777X family, as Emirates pushes to replace its Airbus A380 fleet.

    “Emirates has been open about the fact that we are keen for manufacturers to build larger capacity aircraft, which are more efficient to operate, especially with projected air traffic growth and increasing constraints at airports,” said Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

    “We fully support Boeing’s feasibility study to develop the 777-10 and have options to convert our latest 777-9 order to the 777-10 or the 777-8.”

    Several days later, Emirates also ordered eight more A350-900 aircraft, worth $3.4bn and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB84 engines, while also urging Airbus to explore a larger version of its A350-1000 wide-body.

    Emirates’ commitment to new aircraft at the Dubai Airshow 2025 is worth $41.4bn at list prices, and brings the airline’s total wide-body aircraft orders to 375, with deliveries scheduled through 2038.

    It was also announced that Emirates would deploy Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire in-service fleet, beginning with Boeing 777 aircraft in November 2025 and completing the rollout by mid-2027.

    Airbus pivot

    Flydubai also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Boeing to purchase 75 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft valued at $13bn. In one of the show’s biggest strategic shifts, a further MoU was signed with Airbus for 150 A321neo aircraft, making the airline a new Airbus customer.

    Sheikh Ahmed, also chairman and CEO of flydubai, said this addition would diversify the airline’s narrow-body fleet and “enable flydubai to play a key role in the success of Dubai World Central’s expansion plans, an airport we aim to become the largest airport in the world”.

    “We look forward to establishing a strong and enduring partnership between flydubai and Airbus,” he said. 

    Etihad Airways confirmed an order for 32 new Airbus aircraft, including freighters, marking a significant expansion of its wide-body fleet, while Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, finalised a firm order for 15 787 Dreamliners with options for three more as the carrier looks to further develop its international network. The order adds three Boeing 787s to the airline’s commitment this July and brings Gulf Air’s order book to 17 of the versatile widebody jets.

    Saudi Arabia's emerging airline, Riyadh Air, confirmed a purchase of 120 CFM LEAP-1A engines for its incoming A321neo fleet.

    Taking control

    In a clear sign that Gulf airlines are taking charge of their supply chains, Emirates and France's Safran Seats signed an MoU to bring a manufacturing and plane seat assembly factory to Dubai. The joint industrial cooperation, the first of its kind, will initially focus on Emirates’ business and economy class seats for cabin retrofit projects, with plans to expand into new aircraft in the future.

    “This agreement with Safran marks a pivotal and strategic cooperation that establishes Dubai as an aerospace manufacturing hub,” commented Sheikh Ahmed. “We're bringing world-class seat production capabilities and supply chain to our doorstep, creating highly skilled jobs, and developing capabilities to support Emirates and produce seats for export to other carriers.”

    Emirates is also securing its own engine maintenance capabilities, signing an MoU with Rolls Royce to conduct engine maintenance, repair and overhaul on its own A380 fleet at a new plant in Dubai from 2027.

    Green airline fuel

    Sustainability was a core priority at the airshow, with initiatives including the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for participating aircraft, the use of electric and propane-powered ground support equipment in partnership with Jetex, and exhibition halls run entirely on renewable energy.

    On the sidelines of the event, Emirates and Enoc Group signed a memorandum of understanding to explore and develop joint initiatives for the supply of SAF to Emirates at its Dubai hub.

    Defence deals

    Capping the exhibition were the 36 deals signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and Abu Dhabi Police by the UAE’s Tawazun council – the national authority mandated to enable, regulate and sustain the UAE’s defence and security industrial ecosystem. Valued at AED25.455bn, the deals included contracts for drones, rescue gear, aircraft parts and support.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15167232/main.gif
    Marianne Makdisi
  • Prequalification begins for Riyadh King Salman Stadium

    27 November 2025

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Saudi Arabia’s Sports Ministry has issued a notice inviting companies to prequalify for a contract to design and build the King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh.

    The notice was issued on 26 November, with a prequalification deadline of 16 February.

    The stadium will cover an area of about 660,000 square metres (sq m) and will have a seating capacity of 92,000.

    The stadium will feature a 150-seat royal suite, 120 hospitality suites, 300 VIP seats and 2,200 dignitary seats.

    The plan also includes several sports facilities covering more than 360,000 sq m, including two training fields and fan zones; a closed sports hall; an Olympic-sized swimming pool; an athletics track; and outdoor courts for volleyball, basketball and padel.

    The new stadium will host the final of the 2034 Fifa World Cup and will serve as the Saudi national football team’s main headquarters.

    US-based architectural firm Populous is the lead architect for the stadium.

    Construction of the stadium is expected to be completed by 2029.

    The stadium will be located next to King Abdulaziz Park.

    Saudi Arabia stadium plans

    In August last year, MEED reported that Saudi Arabia plans to build 11 new stadiums to host the Fifa World Cup in 2034.

    Eight stadiums will be located in Riyadh, four in Jeddah and one each in Al-Khobar, Abha and Neom.

    An additional 10 cities will host training bases. These are Al-Baha, Jazan, Taif, Medina, Alula, Umluj, Tabuk, Hail, Al-Ahsa and Buraidah.

    There are expected to be 134 training sites across the kingdom, including 61 existing facilities and 73 new training venues.

    The kingdom was officially selected to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup through an online convention of Fifa member associations at the Fifa Congress on 11 December 2024.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15166460/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Morocco signs $861m deal for polysilicon plant

    27 November 2025

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Morocco has signed a MD8bn ($861m) investment agreement with GPM Holding to establish the country’s first polysilicon manufacturing plant in the southern province of Tan-Tan.

    GPM Holding is a US-based company and a key partner in Green Power Morocco (GPM), which specialises in the installation and maintenance of photovoltaic solar panels.

    GPM is a joint venture with UAE-based renewable energy company Amea Power.

    The planned facility will be located in the El-Ouatia industrial zone, according to the North African country’s Ministry of Investment.

    The facility will have an annual production capacity of 30,000 tonnes, with 85% earmarked for export.

    The plant is expected to generate 1,500 direct and more than 2,000 indirect jobs and strengthen Morocco’s position in renewable energy supply chains, particularly in the manufacturing of solar panel components, according to the Ministry of Investment.

    Last year, GPM completed a 34MW solar project in Hjar Nhal, south of Tangier, under a corporate power purchase agreement.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15163133/main.jpg
    Wil Crisp