Meed | Offshore spending to remain robust in 2024

Offshore spending to remain robust in 2024

27 February 2024

This report also includes: Aramco continues its hunt for hydrocarbons

Spending on offshore oil and gas projects in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region reached a 10-year high in 2023. Regional hydrocarbons producers collectively awarded $17.5bn-worth of contracts, also making last year one of the best on record for capital expenditure (capex) on offshore oil and gas projects.

The robust spending was facilitated by a steady oil price environment, with Brent crude averaging about $82 a barrel, and by Mena state enterprises’ pursuit of strategic oil and gas production potential goals set by their respective governments.

The UAE’s Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) emerged as the biggest spender on offshore projects in the region last year. It awarded an estimated $17bn-worth of contracts for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works on its Hail and Ghasha sour gas development project.

The $8.2bn contract that Adnoc awarded to a consortium of Abu Dhabi’s NMDC Energy and Italian contractor Saipem for offshore EPC works on the Hail and Ghasha project is the single-largest offshore contract to have ever been awarded in the UAE. The package includes EPC work on offshore facilities including those on artificial islands, as well as subsea pipelines.

Aramco offshore capex

Saudi Aramco was the second-highest regional offshore spender. In 2023, the company awarded $5.5bn-worth of offshore engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) contracts to entities in its Long-Term Agreement (LTA) pool of offshore contractors.

A consortium of Indian contractor Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon (LTEH) and UK-based Subsea7 won seven offshore EPCI contracts from Aramco estimated to be worth nearly $2bn.

LTEH/Subsea7 won tender numbers 98, 120 and 121 in Aramco’s Contracts Release & Purchase Order (CRPO) system, which cover EPCI work on Saudi Arabia’s Zuluf, Hasbah and Manifa offshore oil and gas fields. The combined value of the three CRPOs, which were awarded in March 2023, is estimated to be $1bn.

In April, LTEH/Subsea7 won CRPOs 117, 118 and 119, which cover EPCI work on Saudi Arabia’s Marjan offshore oil and gas field development. The three tenders are estimated to be worth over $900m.

The LTEH/Subsea7 consortium is also understood to have secured the contract for CRPO 97, which relates to EPCI work on several units at the Abu Safah field.

Italian contractor Saipem confirmed in early April that it had won CRPO 96, estimated to have a value of $120m. The scope of work on the tender covers the EPCI of one platform topside and the associated subsea flexible, umbilical and cable systems at the Abu Safah and Safaniya fields.

Also in April, China Offshore Oil Engineering Company won CRPO 122, estimated to be worth $255m, covering the installation of 13 jackets at the Safaniya field.

Saipem also won CRPO 124, a contract that is part of the third gas development phase of the Marjan hydrocarbons field.

Lamprell announced that it had also won a pair of offshore contracts – CRPOs 125 and 126 – with a combined estimated value of more than $400m.

Meanwhile, NMDC Energy confirmed it had been awarded CRPOs 136 and 137 by Aramco, which are worth a total of $1.3bn, and Lamprell won CRPO 135 at an estimated $390m. These three tenders cover the EPCI work on several structures at the Zuluf offshore oil and gas field development.

In December, Lamprell won CRPO 141, an estimated $20m-$25m contract for EPCI work on one jacket at the Zuluf field.

More spending ahead

Mena oil and gas producers are expected to maintain a high level of spending on offshore projects in 2024, with Aramco likely to lead the pack.

Most of Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas production comes from its offshore fields, such as Abu Safah, Arabiyah, Berri, Hasbah, Karan, Manifa, Marjan, Ribyan, Safaniya and Zuluf.

Aramco aims to maintain and gradually increase production from these fields, some of which are mature. In order to do this, the company must continue to invest in upgrading and modifying existing infrastructure at these fields and installing new structures.

Aramco is evaluating bids that it received in September for 10 offshore tenders – CRPOs 104 to 113 – which entail EPCI work on several structures at the Safaniya field, which is believed to be the world’s largest oil field. These contracts are estimated to be worth billions of dollars.

Moreover, Aramco has also received bids for two large CRPO tenders – numbers 134 and 127 – that are estimated to be worth a combined $3.8bn.

LTA contractors are also due to submit bids for a dozen new tenders in February. Aramco is expected to award contracts for most of these CRPOs in Q1, kicking off another year of significant spending on offshore oil and gas projects.

Separately, in the 5,770 square-kilometre Saudi-Kuwait Neutral Zone, the joint venture of Saudi Aramco and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) is making progress with its plans to develop gas from the disputed Dorra offshore field.

Aramco and KPC selected France’s Technip Energies to carry out pre-front-end engineering and design (pre-feed) and feed work on the project to develop the field.

The two sides expect to produce about 1 billion cubic feet a day of gas from the Dorra field and have agreed to split the output equally. If Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are able to resolve their differences with Iran over the development of the asset, Aramco and KPC could award an estimated $5bn-worth of EPC contracts for the Dorra gas field development by the end of this year.

Further regional spending

Adnoc is also in line to award EPC contracts for several major offshore schemes this year, including its project to boost output from Abu Dhabi’s Upper Zakum offshore field. The project aims to raise the production potential of Abu Dhabi’s largest offshore field – the world’s second-largest – to 1.2 million barrels a day (b/d).

Adnoc is also expected to award EPC contracts for two projects to increase the crude output capacity of its Lower Zakum field.

In Qatar, state enterprise QatarEnergy is due to award contracts this year for the remaining packages of the second phase of its North Field Production Sustainability (NFPS) project.

The tender for the third NFPS phase two package was released by QatarEnergy LNG last year. The work on that package – known as EPCI 3 – is estimated to be valued at about $500m and covers EPCI work on offshore riser platforms, wellhead platforms and intra-field pipelines.

QatarEnergy LNG also issued the tender to contractors last year for the EPCI 4 package, estimated to be worth up to $4bn. The scope of work on this package covers two gas compression complexes that will weigh 25,000-35,000 tonnes, contributing to a total of 100,000 tonnes of fabrication.

Aramco continues its hunt for hydrocarbons

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Indrajit Sen

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Saudi Arabia raises electricity tariffs
26 October 2026

Saudi Energy, formerly Saudi Electricity Company, has announced revised electricity tariffs, which will take effect on 1 January 2027.

The revised tariff schedule, published on the company’s official website, covers residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, charitable and government customers.

The largest percentage increase in consumption rates is 16.7%, for residential customers using up to 6,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) a month. Residential customers will pay 21 halalas/kWh for monthly consumption of up to 6,000kWh, up from 18 halalas. For consumption above 6,000kWh, the rate will rise from 30 to 33 halalas/kWh, a 10% increase.

The industrial tariff will increase by 15%, from 20 to 23 halalas/kWh. Commercial customers, private healthcare facilities and private educational facilities will pay 25 halalas/kWh, up from 22 halalas, for consumption up to 6,000kWh a month, and 35 halalas/kWh above that level, up from 32 halalas.

Tariffs for charities and government customers will also increase. In addition to consumption-based charges, customers will pay a fixed monthly fee based on the capacity of their electricity meter. This replaces the previous separate charge for meter reading, maintenance and billing, with VAT applied to the revised tariffs.

Electricity investment

The new tariffs coincide with changes to water consumption tariffs announced by the National Water Company, also effective from 1 January 2027.

King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud directed support measures following a proposal presented by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

This includes raising the minimum wage required for Saudi nationals to count as full employees towards private sector localisation quotas under the Nitaqat programme.

The tariff changes come as Saudi Arabia plans substantial investment in its electricity infrastructure. In September 2025, Saudi Energy announced plans to invest SR220bn ($58.7bn) in power infrastructure projects between 2025 and 2030.

A June 2025 report by Fitch Ratings forecast negative free cash flow of about SR16bn a year over the period and rising leverage, reflecting the financial demands of the programme.

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Mark Dowdall
Dubai Municipality confirms AED3bn Tasreef drainage awards
26 October 2026

Dubai Municipality has confirmed it has awarded four contracts worth AED3bn ($817m) to expand the emirate’s stormwater drainage network by about 100 square kilometres under phase three of the Tasreef programme.

The projects will cover Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim, Al-Quoz, Al-Barsha, Al-Wasl and Al-Marmoom. The works include constructing and extending main stormwater drainage lines with diameters of up to three metres.

The four packages are part of Dubai’s AED30bn Tasreef programme, which aims to increase the emirate’s stormwater drainage capacity by 700% and reduce costs associated with pumping stations, network operations and maintenance by 20%.

The contracts have been awarded to China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) and three local firms: Arifco Group, Nael Construction & Contracting (NCC) and Detech Contracting. Dubai Municipality did not state which projects the awards relate to.

According to sources, the contract awards include packages TF-15-C1, TF-15-C2 and TF-13-C1.

The first package, TF-15-C1, involves the construction of 21 kilometres of main and secondary drainage lines along Al-Wasl Road and in surrounding areas. It will cover Za’abeel 2, Al-Wasl, Jumeirah 1 and 2, Al-Bada’a, Al-Satwa and Dubai World Trade Centre. The estimated $100m contract was awarded to Detech in July, as exclusively reported by MEED.

The second package, TF-15-C2, covers the corridor between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al-Khail Road. It includes about 14km of main drainage lines serving Al-Quoz Industrial Areas 1, 3 and 4, and Al-Barsha 1. In July, MEED reported that CSCEC had won the engineering, procurement and construction contract for this project.

The third package, TF-13-C1, covers Al-Marmoom, where 23km of drainage infrastructure will be developed. According to a source, Arifco has been awarded this contract.

The final package covers Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim, where about 42km of main drainage lines will serve Umm Suqeim 1, 2 and 3; Umm Al-Sheif; Jumeirah 3; Al-Safa 1 and 2; and Al-Manara.

In May, MEED reported that NCC had been awarded a contract to build a sewage and stormwater drainage system, DS-204. However, it is unconfirmed whether this relates to the same project.

Earlier, in February, the municipality confirmed it had awarded contracts for five new projects under phase two of the programme to expand and strengthen Dubai’s stormwater drainage network.

These included two contracts awarded to Detech and one to CSCEC for stormwater drainage infrastructure. In addition, two consultancy contracts were awarded for the study and design of drainage systems in selected areas across the emirate.

Cumulatively valued at AED2.5bn, the new projects will serve 30 vital areas, spanning approximately 430 million square metres and supporting an estimated population of three million residents by 2040.

Previously, in April 2025, an earlier package of awards was announced under phase one of the Tasreef programme. The overall masterplan aims to expand Dubai’s rainwater drainage capacity by 700% by 2033.

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Nakheel awards $259m Dubai Islands buildings contract
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Dubai-based master developer Nakheel, part of Dubai Holding Real Estate, has awarded local firm Parkway International Contracting a construction contract valued at about AED950m ($259m) for phases two and four of Bay Grove Residences on Dubai Islands.

The package covers 617 residential units across eight buildings, ranging from one to four bedrooms, together with basement structures, infrastructure and community amenities including swimming pools, sports courts and fitness centres.

Phase two comprises 360 homes across four buildings, with main construction scheduled for completion in late 2028.

Phase four includes 257 homes across four buildings, with completion targeted for the second quarter of 2029.

The award follows an earlier contract valued at about AED800m ($218m) awarded to local contractor Metac General Contracting Company for phases one and three, covering 537 homes across seven buildings.

Together, the two contracts total more than AED1.75bn ($476m) and account for all 1,154 planned homes across the 15 buildings of Bay Grove Residences.

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Morocco plans second high-speed rail phase to Agadir
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Morocco has outlined a second rail investment cycle for 2030-35, which includes beginning construction of a high-speed rail extension from Marrakech to Agadir and connecting Essaouira to the national rail network.

The pipeline forms part of the government’s 2026-31 programme, presented to parliament last week.

The Marrakech-Agadir link is estimated to cost close to MD55bn ($5.5bn) and will cover a 240-kilometre (km) route through the High Atlas Mountains via Chichaoua. Civil engineering structures, including tunnels and viaducts, are expected to account for nearly 70% of the alignment.

In September, the government issued a decree declaring the Marrakech-Agadir and Chichaoua-Essaouira rail corridors to be of public utility, paving the way for land acquisition and expropriation procedures.

Under the long-term masterplan Plan Rail Maroc 2040, Essaouira is expected to connect to the network via a separate line branching off at Chichaoua, designed for operating speeds of up to 200km an hour. The mainline to Agadir is designed for speeds of up to 320km/h.

The 2030-35 cycle also includes rehabilitating the Casablanca-Khouribga-Oued Zem line; constructing a new line between Oued Zem and Beni Mellal via Bejaad, with a branch to Fquih Ben Salah; doubling and upgrading the 140km Benguerir-Safi line; expanding capacity on the Fez-Oujda corridor; and building new-generation passenger stations.

The plans follow Morocco’s ongoing MD134bn ($13.4bn) 2024-30 rail investment programme, which focuses on completing the Kenitra-Marrakech high-speed line ahead of the 2030 Fifa World Cup.

The programme also includes developing regional express network services across five regions, electrifying the Fez-Oujda line and completing a freight rail link to the Nador West Med port.

Work on the Kenitra-Marrakech line had reached about 30% by May 2026, with commercial services targeted to begin in September 2029.

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Riyadh tenders King Salman Stadium works

26 October 2026

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Saudi Arabia’s Sports Ministry has tendered a contract covering early works at King Salman International Stadium in Riyadh.

The scope includes enabling works, site preparation and initial construction activities.

The tender was issued on 11 October, with a submission deadline of 19 November.

The stadium will cover about 660,000 square metres (sq m) and seat 92,000. Facilities will include a 150-seat royal suite, 120 hospitality suites, 300 VIP seats and 2,200 dignitary seats.

The wider development will include 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 stadium is set to host the final of the 2034 Fifa World Cup and will serve as the Saudi national football team’s main base.

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.

Firms submitted prequalification statements for the main design-and-build contract in February.

Saudi stadium plans

In August 2024, MEED reported that Saudi Arabia planned to build 11 new stadiums and refurbish four facilities for the 2034 Fifa World Cup.

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

A further 10 cities will host training bases: Al-Baha, Jazan, Taif, Medina, Alula, Umluj, Tabuk, Hail, Al-Ahsa and Buraidah.

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

Saudi Arabia was officially selected to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup during an online convention of Fifa member associations at the Fifa Congress on 11 December 2024.

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