meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Oil and gas project boom promotes recruitment

23 November 2023

 

Click here for MEED's 2023 EPC contractor ranking

The oil and gas industry has been one of the biggest employment generators in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region for decades, and specifically in the Gulf states. The sector has attracted skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers from around the globe and is a prominent employer for the local labour force.

However, with the industry tethered to oil price cycles and its association with geopolitical stability, or lack thereof, it has gone through boom and bust periods throughout its existence. As a result, employment in the sector has been cyclical in nature.

Moreover, the Gulf hydrocarbons industry’s over-reliance on foreign workers – particularly those from the Indian sub-continent – makes most of the jobs temporary.

The regional industry is in the middle of a prolific period at present, as producers and operators invest in large-scale projects to maximise oil and gas output and expand petrochemicals capacities. This projects boom has created a pressing need for additional manpower, particularly among contractors.

“What we are witnessing today is a supercharged and extremely busy projects market. The clients [project operators] are spending billions on projects, and all contractors – big and small – are winning work,” says a regional industry analyst.

However, executing engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) work on these projects in line with the tight schedules laid out by the clients is “a big ask from contractors”, the analyst continues. 

“Hence, we are experiencing a sort of frenzy among contractors to urgently hire people to beef up their project execution capabilities.”

Project spending

There can be little doubt that this is the best year on record for contract awards in the Mena oil and gas industry. More than $82bn-worth of EPC contracts have been awarded in the region so far in 2023 for upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas projects and in the petrochemicals and chemicals sector.

The level of projects spending this year easily surpasses that of 2021, despite that  year having seen the award of the largest-ever EPC contract in the Mena hydrocarbons sector: a $13bn deal for the main package of QatarEnergy’s North Field East liquefied natural gas (LNG) programme, which was won by a consortium of Japan’s Chiyoda Corporation and French contractor Technip Energies.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) leads capital expenditure (capex) on Mena oil and gas EPC projects this year, largely due to its $17bn spending on the Hail and Ghasha offshore sour gas development project.

Saudi Aramco is the second-largest spender in the region, on the back of the estimated $10bn-worth of EPC contracts it has awarded for the second expansion phase of its Jafurah unconventional gas development. This is in addition to its $11bn capex on the Amiral greenfield petrochemicals scheme in a joint venture with France’s TotalEnergies.

Aramco has also maintained a robust level of spending on offshore oil and gas field upgrade works this year, having awarded approximately $5.3bn-worth of engineering, procurement, construction and installation contracts to its Long-Term Agreement pool of contractors.

In its efforts to consolidate its position as the largest producer and supplier of LNG in the long term, QatarEnergy awarded a $10bn EPC contract in June for two further LNG trains that form the main package of the North Field South project. This has helped the Qatari state enterprise to become the third-largest regional spender in 2023.

Hiring across the board

While big-ticket projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar have created thousands of jobs in those markets, there is also steady manpower demand in other regional countries, according to executives at energy sector recruitment agencies.

“Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah and Qatar are the hot hiring locations currently,” says one recruitment agency official. “It is also interesting to note that numerous job opportunities have opened up in markets like Kuwait, Iraq and Algeria.”

Another recruiter adds: “Contractors have come under considerable strain due to the large volume of contracts that have been awarded in the past 12-18 months.

“From news about rampant job cuts [by both operators and contractors] just about two years ago, we have now entered a period when companies have gone on a hiring spree,” the recruiter says.

While contractors are hiring for various project functions, there is an acute need for them to fill engineering positions, given the technical complexities of the projects on which they are deployed, industry players observe.

“You need engineers throughout the entire life cycle of an oil and gas project – from the concept study and the front-end engineering and design stage, to the bidding, proposal and estimation stage, on to the detailed engineering upon the award of the EPC contract, and even beyond,” says a business development manager working for a prominent contractor.

“Engineers are key to the success of any project. Hence, there is a rush on hirings for engineering functions,” the official says. 

“To meet short-term demand, contractors are engaging engineering centres outside the region, but they have to employ engineers on payroll to be able to effectively execute awarded projects, as well as to take on new work.”

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11321861/main.gif
Indrajit Sen

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

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Adnoc builds long-term oil and gas production potential

    7 April 2026

     

    Between 2023 and 2024, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc Group) spent an estimated $37bn on projects critical to achieving its upstream targets: increasing oil production capacity to 5 million barrels a day (b/d) by 2027 and attaining gas self-sufficiency by the end of the decade.

    The state energy company spent more than $22.5bn in 2023 alone, marking the highest annual oil and gas project spending on record in the UAE. The Hail and Ghasha sour gas development – accounting for approximately $17bn – remains the single-largest contract award in the country’s hydrocarbons sector.

    A slowdown in capital expenditure (capex) following two years of elevated spending is therefore in line with expectations. While engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract awards for upstream projects declined in 2025 and into this year, Adnoc has still committed close to $10bn over the past 15 months.

    The largest award during this period came from Adnoc Offshore, which let contracts worth $7.5bn for three EPC packages under the Lower Zakum Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP-1). Spain’s Tecnicas Reunidas and Abu Dhabi-based NMDC Energy and Target Engineering Construction Company were selected last February to execute the works.

    The Lower Zakum field, located 65 kilometres northwest of Abu Dhabi, is majority-owned by Adnoc Offshore (60%). Other stakeholders include an Indian consortium led by ONGC Videsh (10%), Japan’s Inpex (10%), China National Petroleum Corporation (10%), Italy’s Eni (5%) and France’s TotalEnergies (5%).

    Adnoc Offshore aims to increase production capacity at Lower Zakum to 520,000 b/d by 2027 and sustain that level through 2034.

    Offshore contracts in 2026

    So far this year, Adnoc Offshore has awarded contracts for two key projects: the Satah Al-Razboot (Sarb) deep gas development and the expansion of the Nasr oil field.

    Adnoc achieved final investment decision (FID) on the Sarb project in January and awarded the main EPC contract to US-based McDermott International. The contract is estimated to be worth around $500m, sources told MEED.

    The project is expected to deliver 200 million cubic feet a day (cf/d) of gas by the end of the decade – enough to power more than 300,000 homes.

    The scope includes the EPC of an offshore wellhead tower with four gas production wells, which will be connected to Das Island for processing through Adnoc Gas facilities. Works also include the installation of pipelines and intra-field connections linking the Sarb field to Das Island.

    Also in January, Adnoc Offshore awarded McDermott a $942m contract for the Nasr-115 project, which will increase production capacity at the Nasr offshore field to 115,000 b/d. The field is located about 130km northwest of Abu Dhabi.

    McDermott’s scope covers full EPCI services for two topside structures, a new manifold tower, a jacket, a bridge, associated pipelines, subsea cables and brownfield modifications.

    Strategic projects in queue

    Over the next 12-18 months, Adnoc’s upstream spending is expected to shift from meeting near-term production targets –now largely within reach – to building longer-term capacity beyond 2030.

    Following $1.3bn in EPC awards in 2024 for the Upper Zakum expansion to 1.2 million b/d, Adnoc Offshore is advancing the next phase, which will increase capacity to 1.5 million b/d.

    Located 84km offshore, Upper Zakum is the world’s second-largest offshore oil field. Adnoc Offshore has divided the EPC scope into three packages, with contractors submitting commercial bids for the UZ1.5MMBD project in February.

    Adnoc Offshore is also progressing the Umm Shaif gas cap and surface pressure boosting project, aimed at increasing gas production by 550 million cubic feet a day (cf/d) and condensate output by 50,000 b/d. About 520 million cf/d of additional gas is expected to be fed into Adnoc’s sales gas network.

    The first phase of the project has been split into three EPC packages:

    • Offshore package 1: fabrication of a 30,000-tonne gas compression system
    • Offshore package 2: fabrication of a 30,000-tonne gas compression system
    • Onshore package: EPC of gas inlet and processing systems at Das Island

    Adnoc Offshore is currently evaluating commercial bids submitted in February for these packages.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16285814/main.gif
    Indrajit Sen
  • Contractor wins Oman housing substation contract

    7 April 2026

    Oman’s Public Authority for Social Insurance has awarded a contract for the supply, installation, execution and maintenance of a main power substation for its affordable housing project.

    The contract was awarded to Kuwait-based Al-Ahleia Switchgear Company.

    The project comprises a 400/132/11kV main substation for the Affordable Housing Project, known locally as Al-Masaken Al-Muyassara.

    The tender was announced last November, with the bid envelopes opened on 16 December 2025.

    Al-Ahleia Switchgear submitted another bid in March for a contract to build three 132/11kV main transformer stations for Kuwait’s Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW).

    As reported by MEED, the company’s price of KD10.5m ($34.1m) was the lowest of two offers for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract.

    Separately, in December, Al-Ahleia Switchgear submitted the lowest bid of KD33.9m ($110.3m) for a contract to build a 400/132/11 kV substation at the South Surra township for Kuwait’s PAHW.

    The bid was marginally lower than the two other offers submitted by Saudi Arabia’s National Contracting Company (NCC) and India’s Larsen & Toubro.

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

    Economic 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:

    > GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16285335/main5555.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • UAE reviews $1.63bn fourth federal road project

    7 April 2026

    UAE authorities on 6 April unveiled details of the AED6bn ($1.63bn) fourth federal corridor scheme, a major highway programme aimed at boosting inter-emirate connectivity, increasing road capacity and easing congestion.

    The project comprises a 68-kilometre corridor with 10 major interchanges, four flyovers and six to eight lanes in each direction.

    Officials provided technical updates on the corridor, including revised connection points and coordination with local authorities to finalise route alignments in line with broader development plans.

    Suhail Mohamed Al-Mazrouei, minister of energy and infrastructure, said the programme underscores the central role of infrastructure in the UAE’s development agenda and competitiveness. He was speaking while chairing the first meeting of the UAE Infrastructure and Housing Council this year.

    The council also reviewed progress on federal infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving transport efficiency and strengthening coordination between federal and local authorities.

    Al-Mazrouei said the next phase will focus on accelerating the delivery of high-impact projects to enhance transport system performance and support the shift towards smart and sustainable mobility in line with population growth and urban expansion.

    The council also assessed progress on linking Ajman to the third and fourth federal corridors, which is expected to provide alternative routes, improve traffic flow and further enhance mobility between the emirates.

    On public transport, the council reviewed a study on transport links between Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman to address rising commuting demand.

    The proposed plan includes 10 priority routes incorporating bus rapid transit and dedicated lanes, with connections to key hubs such as the Dubai Metro and city centres.

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

    Economic 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:

    > GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16285296/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Kingdom Holding Company signs Riyadh project deal

    7 April 2026

    Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding Company has signed an agreement with Sumou Real Estate Company under which Sumou will manage the development, marketing and sale of a 3-million-square-metre land plot in Riyadh.

    The scheme is expected to generate about SR4bn ($1bn) in total sales.

    In a Tadawul disclosure, Kingdom Holding Company said its subsidiaries, Kingdom Real Estate Development Company and Trade Centre Company, have appointed Sumou as the exclusive development manager for the site.

    The project is scheduled to be implemented over 36 months, starting once the masterplans are approved by the relevant authorities.

    In a separate stock exchange statement, Sumou said it will be paid 6.5% of total infrastructure development costs and 2.5% of project sales, in addition to the brokerage commission paid by buyers.

    Kingdom Holding Company said the agreement aligns with its long-term strategy for its Riyadh landbank, which originally totalled around 20 million sq m and is being developed in phases.

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

    Economic 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:

    > GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16284668/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Saudi Arabia’s Jubail industrial city hit by missile debris

    7 April 2026

    Explosions were reported in Saudi Arabia’s Jubail industrial city on 7 April. Saudi authorities said the country’s air defence systems intercepted seven ballistic missiles targeting the Eastern Province, with debris landing near energy facilities, primarily in Jubail.

    Jubail is one of the world’s largest petrochemical production hubs, with an annual output of about 60 million tonnes, accounting for an estimated 6% to 8% of global supply.

    The incident places renewed focus on the kingdom’s flagship petrochemical cluster, where majority state-owned Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) is a key investor.

    Jubail also hosts major downstream oil, gas and petrochemical assets operated by Saudi Aramco, US-based Dow and France’s TotalEnergies, underscoring the industrial zone’s international significance.

    Saudi officials said damage assessments are ongoing.

    The developments follow an Israeli strike on 6 April targeting a major petrochemical complex in Iran’s southern Asaluyeh region, described as the country’s largest industrial hub.

    Separately, authorities closed the King Fahd Causeway – the main bridge linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain – early on 7 April as a precaution amid heightened security concerns.

    The King Fahd Causeway Authority said in a post on X that vehicle movement had been “suspended as a precautionary measure” due to Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

    The 25-kilometre bridge is Bahrain’s only road link to the Arabian Peninsula.

    US President Donald Trump has issued an ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to bomb Iranian power plants and bridges if Tehran does not comply by 8pm EDT on 7 April.

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

    Economic 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:

    > GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift
    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here

     

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16283711/main2424.jpg
    Indrajit Sen