Regional downstream sector prepares for consolidation
30 December 2024

The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region’s midstream and downstream oil, gas and petrochemicals sectors together had one of their best years on record in 2024, with state-owned companies and private players collectively spending close to $38bn on projects.
Saudi Arabia emerged as the biggest regional spender on midstream and downstream projects. To address incremental volumes of gas entering the grid as Saudi Aramco increases its conventional and unconventional gas production, the state enterprise has spent more than $17bn on gas processing and transportation projects this year.
In April 2024, Aramco awarded $7.7bn in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for a project to expand the Fadhili gas plant in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The project is expected to increase the plant’s processing capacity from 2.5 billion cubic feet a day (cf/d) to up to 4 billion cf/d.
On 30 June, Aramco awarded 15 lump-sum turnkey contracts for the third expansion phase of the Master Gas System (MGS-3), worth $8.8bn. Then, in August, the company awarded contracts for the remaining two packages of the MGS-3 project, which were worth $1bn.
Saudi Aramco 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 at various locations in the kingdom.
The Master Gas System expansion will increase the size of the network and raise its total capacity by an additional 3.15 billion cf/d by 2028 with the installation of about 4,000 kilometres
of pipelines and 17 new gas compression trains.
Abu Dhabi capex
The UAE has been the second-largest spender on midstream, downstream and chemicals projects in 2024, led by investments from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) and Taziz – its 60:40 joint venture with industrial holding entity ADQ.
Adnoc’s biggest capital expenditure (capex) was in the form of a $5.5bn EPC contract that it awarded to a consortium of France’s Technip Energies, Japan-based JGC Corporation and Abu Dhabi-owned NMDC Energy to develop a greenfield liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal complex in Ruwais.
The upcoming Ruwais LNG export terminal will have the capacity to produce about 9.6 million tonnes a year (t/y) of LNG from two processing trains, each of which has a capacity of 4.8 million t/y. When the project is commissioned, Adnoc’s LNG production capacity will more than double to about 15 million t/y.
Adnoc Group subsidiary Adnoc Gas has also advanced a project to expand its sales gas pipeline network across the UAE, which is known as Estidama. The Abu Dhabi-listed company has awarded two EPC packages of the project this year, which together were worth more than $500m.
Adnoc Gas is expected to award the contract for another Estidama package before the end of 2024 that covers the construction of a pipeline that will provide feedstock from its Habshan gas processing plant to the upcoming Ruwais LNG complex.
Taziz, meanwhile, awarded three EPC contracts totalling $2bn for infrastructure works at the industrial chemicals zone that it is developing in Ruwais Industrial City.
Spending to plateau
Having reached a peak in spending, and with EPC contracts awarded for strategic midstream, downstream and chemicals projects in 2024, the Mena region is set to enter a period of more pragmatic project spending in 2025. However, this does not imply that a slump in project capex is likely, and the region could once again equal the level of contract awards made in 2024.
One of the largest projects that may be awarded in 2025 is the main contract for the North Field West LNG project – the third phase of QatarEnergy’s LNG expansion programme.
The North Field West project will have an LNG production capacity of 16 million t/y, which is expected to be achieved through two 8 million t/y LNG processing trains, based on the two earlier phases of QatarEnergy’s LNG expansion programme.
The new project will draw feedstock for LNG production from the western zone of Qatar’s North Field offshore
gas reserve.
Taziz is also on course to make progress with the second expansion phase of its derivatives complex, which will more than double the number of chemicals produced at the industrial hub. The expansion’s centrepiece will be a large-scale steam cracker that will supply feedstocks to the several new chemical plants earmarked for third-party investments.
In Saudi Arabia, there has been speculation that Aramco may be revisiting its investment strategy and execution approach for its strategic liquids-to-chemicals programme.
The aim of the programme is to derive greater economic value from every barrel of crude produced in the kingdom by converting 4 million barrels a day (b/d) of Aramco’s oil production into high-value petrochemicals and chemicals feedstocks by 2030.
Aramco has divided its liquids-to-chemicals programme into four main projects. It took a major step forward
in September 2023 by selecting US firm KBR, France’s Technip Energies, UK-based Wood Group and Australia- headquartered Worley to provide project management consultancy services for the four different segments of the scheme.
Progress on a programme as big as the liquids-to-chemicals scheme is expected to be measured and laboured.
While day-to-day the advancement might appear sluggish, Amin Nasser, Aramco’s president and CEO, said earlier in 2024 that the Saudi energy giant is on track to achieve its crude oil-to-chemicals conversion goal by 2030.
“We are on track to achieve our target of 4 million b/d liquids-to-chemicals [conversion capacity] by 2030,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kuwait is in a similar situation with its planned Al-Zour integrated complex upgrade programme (Zicup), which has suffered significant delays in recent years. However, state-owned Kuwait Integrated Petroleum Industries Company (Kipic), the project’s operator, recently appointed a team to look into the logistics of developing a benzine pipeline as part of the estimated $10bn Zicup scheme.
Although this may be a small step, it does indicate that Kuwait remains determined to achieve its ambition of developing a large-scale petrochemicals facility, which, when integrated with its $16bn Al-Zour refinery, could become one of the biggest integrated refining and petrochemicals complexes in the Mena region.

Exclusive from Meed
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Adnoc awards contract for Ruwais Diyab unconventional gas3 November 2026
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Sultan Al-Jaber appeals for global energy security reset2 November 2026
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Contractors compete for Riyadh airport Terminal 6 work2 November 2026
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Contractors prepare bids for Morocco power line2 November 2026
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Adnoc Onshore allows more time for Bab gas cap well tie-in bids2 November 2026
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Adnoc awards contract for Ruwais Diyab unconventional gas3 November 2026

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has taken the final investment decision (FID) for the Ruwais Diyab unconventional gas development in Abu Dhabi.
The project will deliver 345 million standard cubic feet a day (scf/d) of raw gas from 2029 over a 25-year period, with the potential to reach up to 1 billion scf/d in the future.
Gas will be processed on site and connected to the UAE’s gas network through new pipeline infrastructure, “strengthening domestic supply, supporting the nation’s economic and industrial growth as well as Adnoc’s liquefied natural gas export ambitions”, the Abu Dhabi energy giant said when announcing FID on the project at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec) 2026.
According to sources, Adnoc has awarded the design, build and operate (DBO) contract for the Ruwais Diyab unconventional gas development to China-based Jereh Group.
A formal kick-off meeting between Adnoc and Jereh is expected to take place later in November, sources told MEED.
The DBO contract awarded by Adnoc to Jereh is understood to cover the second phase of the Ruwais Diyab unconventional gas development. The tendering exercise for the project started last year.
“The development [of Ruwais Diyab] follows a disciplined programme of technical studies, field testing and subsurface analysis, delivered by Adnoc Onshore under a DBO model, to reduce development risk,” Adnoc said in its statement on 2 November.
“It brings together advanced subsurface expertise, artificial intelligence-enabled drilling and completion technologies and integrated project delivery capabilities to support the efficient and responsible development of domestic gas resources,” it added.
The UAE holds the seventh-largest gas reserves in the world, with 298 trillion standard cubic feet (scf) of conventional gas reserves and 160 trillion scf of unconventional gas resources.
Adnoc holds the majority 60% stake in the Ruwais Diyab concession, the majority of which is situated onshore, while France’s TotalEnergies holds the other 40% interest.
The agreement to explore, appraise and develop the area’s unconventional gas resources was signed by Adnoc and TotalEnergies in November 2018. The partners announced first gas output at the concession, presumably on a pilot basis, two years later.
Adnoc has set a target of producing 1 billion scf/d of gas from the Ruwais Diyab concession by 2030, in line with its target to achieve self-sufficiency in overall gas production by the end of this decade.
“Ruwais Diyab’s additional unconventional gas supply will strengthen Adnoc’s gas value chain, including Adnoc Gas’s ability to meet rising domestic and international customer demand,” Adnoc said in its 2 November statement.
“Ruwais Diyab advances Adnoc’s ambition to establish a scalable unconventional gas business and create a platform for future growth,” the company added.
Ruwais Diyab first phase
Adnoc awarded the contract for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) on the first phase of the unconventional gas development programme to local contractor Astra Engineering & Construction in early 2025, according to regional project tracker MEED Projects.
The first phase aims to achieve a gas output level of 100 million scf/d. The main structures to be built in the first phase include a central processing facility, two well pads, interconnecting well fluid pipelines, gas export pipelines and tie-in stations.
The EPC contractor will be required to provide services such as surveying, design, engineering, procurement, expediting, transportation, fabrication, construction, testing, installation, pre-commissioning, commissioning, site performance testing, operation and maintenance of all units.
The duration of the EPC works is understood to be 20 months, with the contractor also responsible for operating and maintaining the phase one facilities for 15 years.
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Sultan Al-Jaber appeals for global energy security reset2 November 2026
The global energy industry must fundamentally rethink how it builds, protects and delivers secure energy, following a year of unprecedented disruption that has exposed critical vulnerabilities in international supply chains, Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber, the UAE’s Industry & Advanced Technology Minister and managing director and group CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc Group) has said.
Delivering the opening address at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec) 2026 on 2 November, Al-Jaber said preparedness is essential to navigating an increasingly uncertain global landscape.
“For decades, energy security was a question for specialists. It was debated in rooms like this, by people like us, in a language that few needed to learn. This year, every family, every farmer, every industry and every business owner is asking about it, and our collective job is to find the answers.”
Noting that it is not possible to control every situation and remove every risk, Al-Jaber said: “The choices we make today will determine the energy landscape a decade from now. Let’s apply the lessons we have learnt. Let’s build capacity and everything that supports it. Let’s forge partnerships that hold when it matters. And if you want a partner you can count on, you are in the right room, in the right city, in the right country. Because when it counts the most, you can count on the UAE.”
Setting out the case for a more resilient energy system, Al-Jaber said that since the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, nearly 1 billion barrels of crude have been drained from inventories. He noted that in some markets, stocks of diesel are at their lowest seasonal level in 35 years, while others are facing a supply gap for liquefied natural gas (LNG) of 600 billion cubic feet. “Simply put, the world has eroded its supply buffers,” Al-Jaber said.
“But supply is only half the story. The other half is delivery. Before the disruption, logistics were less than 5% of the cost of a barrel. Today, they are more than 30%. In short, energy security is not only measured at the point of production. It is now also measured at the point of delivery.”
Mitigation steps
Al-Jaber outlined five steps the energy industry can take to reduce the impact of future shocks. “First, accessible supply. We need expanded strategic storage, larger stockpiles of products and flexible refining capacity closer to consumer markets.
“Second, routes to market. Supply only counts when it arrives. Infrastructure must be built before it is needed and enabled by advanced logistics.
“Third, operational intelligence. Moving from automated operations to intelligent energy systems that anticipate risk, optimise performance and drive down the cost of every barrel.
“Fourth, capital follows confidence. Policy must create it, finance must accelerate it and insurance must keep trade moving.
“Fifth, which is in my view the most important, is people. Because behind every barrel that arrives is a person who made sure it did. Systems don’t carry responsibility, people do.”
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Contractors compete for Riyadh airport Terminal 6 work2 November 2026

Contractors are preparing bids for the main construction contract for Terminal 6 at King Salman International airport (KSIA) in Riyadh.
MEED understands that the consortiums have been given until 30 December to submit their proposals.
The participating consortiums are:
- Al-Gihaz Holding / TAV Construction / Webuild (local/Turkiye/Italy)
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Last month, MEED exclusively reported that contractor teams have completed the early contractor involvement phase of the project.
Under the completed phase, the shortlisted teams submitted detailed construction methodologies and technical design proposals.
King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) is a subsidiary of Saudi sovereign wealth vehicle the Public Investment Fund.
Terminal 6 is planned to boost the airport’s annual capacity by 40 million passengers. KSIADC aims to complete the terminal ahead of Expo 2030 Riyadh.
In May 2025, MEED reported that US-based Bechtel had been appointed as delivery partner for the passenger terminals at KSIA.
UK-based Foster + Partners designed the masterplan, including the terminals, six parallel runways and a multi-asset real estate district.
US-based engineering firm Jacobs is providing specialist consultancy services for the masterplan and runway design, while UK-headquartered Mace is acting as delivery partner for the broader development. Local firm Nera secured the airspace design consultancy contract.
The KSIA project covers about 57 square kilometres (sq km) and incorporates the existing terminals at King Khalid International airport. The scheme will feature 12 sq km of airport support facilities, residential and recreational zones, retail assets and logistics parks.
The development is targeted to handle up to 120 million passengers a year by 2030 and 185 million passengers by 2050, in addition to an annual cargo throughput of 3.5 million tonnes by 2050.
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Contractors prepare bids for Morocco power line2 November 2026

Contractors are preparing bids for a 160-kilometre (km), 400kV transmission line linking Guercif and Fes East in Morocco, following a site visit on 1 October.
The project is being developed by the Office National de l'Electricite et de l'Eau Potable (Onee) to connect the Saka solar photovoltaic power plant to the national electricity grid.
According to sources, at least eight contractors attended the site visit last month, including:
- Butec (Lebanon)
- CEEC Northeast Electric No.2 (China)
- Cegelec (France)
- EPME Electric (Morocco)
- Hideleco (Egypt)
- Kec International (India)
- PowerChina (China)
- Transrail (India)
The project comprises two lots. The first involves a 90km transmission line between Guercif and Taza, while the second covers a 70km section between Taza and Fes East.
The scope of work includes the construction of tower foundations, installation of transmission supports and conductors, and associated high-voltage equipment. It also includes optical fibre cables for communications and monitoring, access roads and other supporting infrastructure.
The tender was issued in September with bids originally due by 21 October. The deadline has now been extended to 25 November.
The project is part of a wider programme by Onee to expand Morocco's electricity transmission network and accommodate additional renewable energy capacity.
In June, the utility commissioned a 274km, 400kV transmission line linking Chemaia and Mediouna, near Casablanca.
Onee plans to expand its high- and extra-high-voltage transmission network from more than 30,700km to 37,000km by 2030.
In August, it approved a $26.4bn investment programme for the 2026-30 period, covering electricity and drinking water infrastructure.
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Adnoc Onshore allows more time for Bab gas cap well tie-in bids2 November 2026

The onshore business of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc Onshore) has allowed contractors more time to prepare proposals for a project to tie in gas-producing and injection wells at the gas cap reservoirs of Abu Dhabi’s onshore Bab field.
The well tie-in scope, estimated to be worth more than $800m, forms part of Adnoc Group’s wider integrated Bab gas cap development programme.
The overall programme is being led and overseen by Adnoc Gas, another Adnoc Group subsidiary. Its central element is the construction of gas-processing infrastructure to handle incremental gas output expected from developing the Bab gas caps.
Adnoc Onshore issued the main tender for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works on the project in late September, MEED previously reported.
Contractors have been given until 16 November to submit technical bids for the project, according to sources. The previous deadline was 29 October.
MEED previously reported that Adnoc Onshore issued an expressions of interest (EoI) notice for the Bab gas production and injector well tie-in project on 13 May, with contractors submitting responses by 20 May.
The scope of work on the project covers the following:
- Tie-in of 99 new wells from Bab gas cap reservoirs KH-2, SH-1 and LK-1 (60 gas producers and 39 gas injectors);
- Installation of well gathering structures: 10 gas pads, six well bays and three virtual pads;
- Installation of a gas gathering network and a gas injection network;
- Rerouting of the LK-3 production from the existing trunkline in Remote Manifold Station 3 (RMS-3) to the project’s production trunkline, Bab Gas TL-2;
- Demolition of the existing 10-inch trunkline from RMS-3 to onshore gas development phase one.
In the EoI document, Adnoc Onshore said it intends to award the EPC contract in the last quarter of the year, with a 45-month duration of works.
Bab gas cap project infrastructure
As part of its 2030 upstream production increase goals, Adnoc Group is working to extract gas from four underdeveloped gas cap reservoirs at the Bab onshore field development – Thammama A, Thammama B, Thammama F and Thammama H.
While the Thammama A, B and H reservoirs are estimated to collectively produce 1.45 billion cubic feet a day (cf/d) of gas, output from the Thammama F gas cap is expected to be at a rate of 396 million cf/d.
Existing trains at the Habshan processing complex in Abu Dhabi will be unable to handle the new gas volumes. Therefore, Adnoc Gas is required to build new facilities to process an additional volume of up to 1.85 billion cf/d of raw gas.
Adnoc Gas is planning to build a gas processing plant in the Bab area, about 170 kilometres from Abu Dhabi, along with associated pipeline networks and other ancillary units, as part of the broader Bab gas cap development project. It has divided the EPC scope of work on the project into four packages:
- EPC package 1 – Main Bab gas cap plant
- EPC package 2 – Early civil works
- EPC package 3 – Pipelines
- EPC package 4 – Non-process area works
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange-listed Adnoc Gas issued the tender for the main Bab gas cap plant on 25 June and set an initial deadline of 17 July for contractors to submit technical bids. The company then extended the technical bid submission deadline by four months, until 16 November, MEED previously reported.
Following a reshuffle of the consortiums gearing up to bid for the main Bab gas plant EPC package, estimated to be worth more than $6bn, the following teams have formed to compete in the main contract tendering round:
- Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon (India) + Petrofac Emirates (UAE)
- Technip Energies (France) + JGC Corporation (Japan) + Sinopec (China)
- Tecnimont (Italy) + China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation (CPECC)
The other three packages of the Bab gas cap project are also in the main contract tendering stages.
Prior to issuing the EoIs for the project packages, Adnoc Gas completed an early engagement process with contractors in September and October last year, as MEED previously reported.
In December last year, Adnoc Gas awarded the front-end engineering and design (feed) works for the development project to Australia-based consultancy Worley. The feed contract has a duration of more than 1.2 million man-hours, making it the largest-ever engineering job awarded by Adnoc Gas.
Bab Gas Cap concession
In addition to Adnoc Gas overseeing the main EPC tendering exercise for the gas processing plant, Abu Dhabi’s Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs (SCFEA) awarded concession agreements in June for the development and production of the Bab gas cap reserve.
Adnoc will hold the majority 60% participating interest in the concession. The remaining stakes will be held by France’s TotalEnergies (10%), the UK’s BP (10%), China National Petroleum Corporation International (8%), Japan Oil Development Company Onshore (5%), China ZhenHua Oil (4%) and Korea GS E&P (3%).
According to the SCFEA, the Bab gas cap development and production concession represents the largest gas cap development project of its kind globally, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a report.
A gas cap refers to the free natural gas that sits above an underlying oil reservoir – in this case, the Bab onshore oil field in Abu Dhabi.
The project, operated by Adnoc Onshore, is expected to have a production capacity of approximately 1.5 billion cf/d of natural gas, equivalent to about 15% of Adnoc Gas’ total operational gas processing capacity.
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