meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Technip Energies leapfrogs the field

23 November 2023

 

There has been a surge in market activity for the oil, gas and petrochemicals sector in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) over the past year, with engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors securing $77.6bn-worth of deals between October 2022 and September 2023.

This pace of contract award activity represents a more than doubling of the $37.6bn in awards that were let in the preceding four quarters. It is also reflected in a swelling of the award value that was booked by the top 10 most successful contractors during the period. 

These companies secured contract awards totalling $47.2bn in the past four quarters – also more than double the $21.4bn secured by the top 10 contractors by contract value in the period prior. 

This surge in activity has also resulted in a significant amount of reshuffling of the regional leaders in terms of recently awarded contract values.

Regional leaders

Topping the ranking is France’s Technip Energies, which clinched pole position with a contract value of $7.6bn over the past four quarters – made up principally by its 70 per cent share in the $10bn contract to deliver two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) trains as part of QatarEnergy’s North Field South expansion programme. This was the second-largest single contract in the Mena oil and gas industry to date. 

The remarkable win is a huge boost for the French company, which in the preceding period sat in only 10th place, with awards totalling $922m. 

France’s Technip Energies clinched the top position with a contract value of $7.6bn over the past four quarters

Second in this year’s ranking is Hyundai Engineering & Construction from South Korea, with $7.4bn in contract awards, having risen from sixth position the preceding year with just $1.4bn in awards. The firm notably secured two packages worth $2.5bn each from Satorp – the joint venture of Saudi Aramco and TotalEnergies – for the development of the Amiral complex in Jubail. 

Hyundai E&C also secured a $2.4bn contract with Saudi Aramco for the phase two, package two utilities and off-site facilities at the Jafurah unconventional gas field in the kingdom’s Eastern Province.

India’s Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon (LTEH) has maintained a consistent foothold in the ranking, retaining the third spot for the second year running. It did so with a significantly elevated contract award value, however, at $6.9bn over the past four quarters, as compared to $2.4bn in the preceding period. 

LTEH bookings included two more contracts as part of phase two of Aramco’s development of its Jafurah unconventional gas field –  a $2.9bn contract for package one, a gas treatment facility, and a $1bn contract for package three, a gas compression plant. LTEH also secured a $1.2bn deal in Algeria for a hydrocracking unit as part of Sonatrach’s Skikda refinery expansion.

Italy’s Saipem has climbed to fourth place with $6.1bn of awards, where previously it came in seventh place with $1.3bn in awards. Its major contracts included the $4.5bn contract for phase two, scope B of the QatarEnergy LNG North Field Production Sustainability programme, and a $1bn contract for the Bouri gas utilisation project with Libya’s Mellitah Oil & Gas Company.

Spain’s Tecnicas Reunidas follows in fifth place, with contracts valued at $5.6bn, rising from ninth place in the previous period, when it secured $1.1bn in awards. The major contract wins in the current period included the $3.6bn contract for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s (Adnoc) Maximising Ethane Recovery and Monetisation (Meram) project in a 50:50 joint venture with the local NMDC Energy, formerly National Petroleum Construction Company. 

Tecnicas Reunidas also secured two contracts with Aramco for work on the Riyas natural gas liquids fractionation plant, which is part of the second expansion phase of Jafurah: a $2.2bn award for package two and a $1bn award for package one.

Rounding out the top 10

Italy’s Maire Tecnimont claims sixth place with contracts totalling $3.6bn, maintaining its presence in the top ranks with an increased award value, but still down from third position in the previous period, when the firm secured contracts worth $2.6bn. 

The contractor’s wins included a $1.3bn deal from a joint venture of QatarEnergy and US firm Chevron Phillips Chemical for the Ras Laffan petrochemicals project and several packages within Satorp’s Amiral complex, totalling $1.92bn. It also secured a $380m contract with Sonatrach for a liquefied petroleum gas extraction plant in Rhourde el-Bagel.

Lebanon’s Consolidated Contractors Company has meanwhile secured the seventh position with contracts valued at $3bn. This was led by its 30 per cent share of the $10bn contract for the QatarEnergy LNG North Field South development and a $400m deal for pipelines as part of Satorp’s Amiral project package 5B.

NMDC Energy has landed in eighth position with contracts worth just under $3bn. Its wins included a 50 per cent share of the $3.6bn contract for Adnoc’s Meram project, working alongside Tecnicas Reunidas, as well as a $614m contract for a pipeline as part of Adnoc’s Estidama project and a $600m contract from Saudi Aramco to lay a pipeline from Zuluf to Safaniya. 

The contractor’s position is nevertheless down from last year, when it ranked first with $4.9bn-worth of awards.

China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Corporation secured contracts totalling $2.4bn, earning it ninth place in this year’s ranking. Its wins included a $500m contract for Basra Oil Company’s West Qurna-1 oil field development and a $386m contract for Basra Energy Company’s Mishrif Qurainat oil field development.

UK-based Petrofac rounds off the top 10 with contracts valued at $1.7bn. Wins included a $1bn share of the $1.5bn contract for the Sonatrach Total Entreprise Polymeres joint venture’s propane dehydrogenation polypropylene plant in Arzew, Algeria, and a $700m award for a compressor plant at Habshan as part of Adnoc’s Estidama programme.

Several contractors that were present in last year’s ranking are noticeably absent from this year’s list. These include Japan’s JGC Corporation, which secured no new contracts in the period after posting in second place last year with $4bn in awards. 

US firm McDermott secured $1bn in contract awards this year after placing fourth in the ranking last year with $2.6bn in awards. South Korea’s Samsung Engineering meanwhile secured $1.3bn in awards, slightly up from $1.2bn in the previous period, but not enough to remain in the ranking this year.

Sector and country breakdown

The gas sector emerged as the most lucrative sector in the past four quarters, representing contract awards totalling $33.3bn. This was followed by the chemicals sector, which saw $23.3bn in contract awards, and the oil sector, which recorded $21bn.

In terms of the country of origin for contract awards over the past four quarters, Saudi Arabia led the way, representing awards totalling $23.4bn. This was followed closely by Qatar, with awards worth $20.6bn. 

Iran also witnessed contracts totalling $11.2bn, but this was split between several local contractors in such a way that it prevented any individual EPC contractor from making its mark at a regional level.

The UAE oil, gas and chemicals market meanwhile recorded $9.2bn in contract awards, with several contracts from Adnoc playing a key role in this year’s ranking. 

Algeria, Jordan and Iraq saw total contract awards values of $3.3bn, $3bn and $2.9bn, respectively. Other countries in the region accounted for a further $4bn-worth of EPC contract awards.

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11318386/main.gif
John Bambridge

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

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Renewables projects in Oman near completion

    9 March 2026

    Three Oman-based renewable energy projects are nearing completion, according to OQ Alternative Energy (OQAE), part of Oman’s state-backed energy group OQ.

    The Riyah 1, Riyah 2 and North Solar projects have a combined capacity of 330MW and are expected to be operational by the end of the year, the renewable energy firm said in a statement.

    The Riyah 1 and Riyah 2 wind power plants are located in the Amin and West Nimr fields in southern Oman, while the North Solar project is located in northern Oman.

    OQAE owns a 51% share in the three projects, which are being developed in partnership with France’s TotalEnergies for state-backed firm Petroleum Development Oman (PDO).

    The schemes have a combined investment of more than $230m.

    Once commissioned, PDO will purchase the electricity from the plants through long-term power-purchase agreements with the developer team, whose 49% shares are owned by TotalEnergies.

    According to OQAE, the North Oman Solar project is approaching mechanical completion. About 95% of tracker and photovoltaic (PV) module installation has been completed, with full PV module installation expected by mid-March.

    Construction is also progressing on the Riyah wind projects. Seven wind turbines with a tip height of 200 metres have been erected and installation works are continuing on the remaining units.

    All 36 wind turbine generators have arrived in Oman and 19 have been transported from the port to the site. All wind turbine foundations have also been completed, allowing installation works to accelerate.

    OQAE said the projects have achieved about 30% in-country value, with several local companies involved in the supply chain.

    These include Voltamp, Oman Cables, Al-Kiyumi Switchgear and Al-Hassan Switchgear, which supplied electrical equipment and infrastructure components.

    Substation engineering design was carried out by Worley Oman. Muscat-based business conglomerate Khimji Ramdas handled logistics and customs management for turbine components.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15910036/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Dubai’s real estate faces a hard test

    9 March 2026

    Commentary
    Yasir Iqbal
    Construction writer

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Dubai entered 2026 from a position of historic strength. Dubai Land Department figures show AED917bn ($250bn) in real estate transactions in 2025 across more than 270,000 deals, with residential prices up 60%-75% since 2021.

    In January 2026, the surge extended. Residential transaction values jumped 44% year-on-year to AED55bn. By most measures, it was Dubai’s strongest property cycle on record.

    Then the drones and missiles arrived.

    Iran has reportedly launched more than 1,000 drones and missiles towards UAE targets in recent days. Most of these attacks were neutralised, but debris struck its major assets, such as the Burj Al-Arab hotel and Dubai International airport. Explosions were also reported near the Fairmont the Palm hotel, the US Consulate and in Dubai Marina. These are not shocks that can be quietly absorbed by a market whose value proposition rests on being “safe”.

    Dubai property has been stress-tested before. In 2008, prices fell 50%-60% and took six years to recover. A 2014-19 correction knocked off another 25%-30%. Covid-19 was sharper but shorter, with the market stabilising within 12-18 months. Dubai tends to correct hard, then rebound quickly once confidence returns.

    What’s different now is the nature of the shock, which is the physical damage to the city itself. The core question is whether Dubai’s safe-harbour identity, which is what drew thousands of millionaires and billions in personal wealth last year, can survive missiles landing across the city for long.

    Markets have reacted negatively, as expected. Emaar and Aldar shares fell about 5% in a few days. Developer bond markets are largely shut to new issuance. Off-plan sales, which are about 65% of 2025 transactions, are most exposed because buyers must commit capital years ahead of planned delivery dates amid uncertainty.

    Fitch had already projected a correction of up to 15% in late 2025-26; UBS ranked Dubai fifth out of 21 cities for bubble risk.

    There are offsets, however. Regional capital flight has historically flowed into Dubai, and a large expatriate base provides steady demand. But it is unwise to assume past recovery patterns will repeat amid the unprecedented times, and a 2026 delivery pipeline of over 131,000 units, which is already running ahead of population growth.

    Dubai now faces two risks at once: a structural correction and a reputational shock. The outcome hinges less on the data than on one variable: how long the conflict lasts, and how close it stays.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15910169/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Bahrain’s Bapco Energies declares force majeure

    9 March 2026

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Bahrain’s state energy conglomerate Bapco Energies has declared force majeure on its group-wide operations following attacks on the Sitra oil refinery in the country.

    In a statement on 9 March, Bapco Energies said its decision to issue the force majeure notice follows “the recent attack on its refinery complex”, without providing details.

    Earlier in the day, Bahrain’s National Communication Centre announced that “the facility in Ma’ameer” – an apparent reference to the refining facility in near Sitra – had been targeted in an Iranian attack, causing a fire to break out. The fire was contained, and “the incident resulted in material damage but caused no injuries or fatalities”, said the statement carried by the official Bahrain News Agency.

    “The company clarified that all local market needs are fully secured according to the proactive plans in place, ensuring the continuity of supplies and meeting local demand without impact,” Bapco Energies said in its statement.

    “Bapco Energies values its relationships with all of its stakeholders and will continue to communicate the latest available information,” it said.

    The Monday morning attack on the Sitra refinery was the second strike on the complex in days. Iranian missiles hit the facility on 5 March, resulting in parts of the refinery being engulfed in flames, although that fire was also put out quickly.

    ALSO READ: Oil prices soar above $100 a barrel as conflict intensifies

    QatarEnergy has also issued force majeure to customers that have been affected by its decision to stop production and shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and associated products.

    “QatarEnergy values its relationships with all of its stakeholders and will continue to communicate the latest available information,” the state enterprise said in a statement on 4 March.

    QatarEnergy announced its decision to halt production of LNG and associated products on 2 March due to military attacks on the company’s operating facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City in Qatar.

    The following day, the company said it was stopping output of products in the downstream energy value chain, including urea, polymers, methanol, aluminium and other products.

    The state enterprise did not blame Iran for the attacks in either of its statements, but it is understood that its facilities have been hit by drones or missiles launched by Tehran, as it retaliates against Israel, the US and their military bases in the GCC states, further escalating the ongoing conflict.

    ALSO READ:
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15910429/main.jpeg
    Indrajit Sen
  • Wade Adams wins more work in Dubai

    9 March 2026

    Dubai-based Wade Adams Contracting has been awarded two contracts covering infrastructure works in the Nad Al-Sheba and Villanova communities in Dubai.

    The first contract, which was awarded by local real estate developer Dubai Holding, covers roads and infrastructure works for the spine road at its Nad Al-Sheba residential development.

    The scope of work includes the development of the road network, service reservation, storm water drainage, street lighting, traffic control, potable water system and sewage collection system.

    The work also covers the main irrigation system, fire-fighting system, electrical power ducts, telecommunications, spare ducts, irrigation pump station, storm pump station and all utility tie-in connections to adjacent packages.

    The project area covers 2,800 square metres (sq m).

    The other contract covers the infrastructure works for the La Tilia cluster at the Villanova development.

    The scope of work includes ground investigation, demolition and site clearance, earthworks, road network, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority-related works, street lighting, telecommunications, irrigation, drainage, sewerage and spare ducts.

    In August last year, Wade Adams Contracting was awarded a contract to carry out infrastructure works within the Nad Al-Sheba Gardens development in Dubai, as MEED reported.

    The contract includes enabling works, roads and utility services in Zones C, D and H of the development.

    The project spans an area of over 550,000 sq m within Nad Al-Sheba Gardens.

    This latest contract adds to the work awarded to Wade Adams in January, which included two contracts for grading and enabling works in clusters D and H of Nad Al-Sheba Gardens, as well as infrastructure works in Zone E.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15909803/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Roshn signs $177m investment deal with local developer

    9 March 2026

    Saudi gigaproject developer Roshn Group has signed an investment agreement worth over SR650m ($177) with Riyadh-based developer Miskan Real Estate Development Company.

    The agreement will allow the firm to develop a project spanning more than 68,000 square metres (sq m) of land within the Warefa community in Riyadh.

    The latest agreement follows Roshn Group's signing of several land sale and development deals with local developers, worth over SR2bn ($570m).

    The agreements were signed on the sidelines of the recently concluded Restatex Real Estate Exhibition in Riyadh.

    The signed agreements cover residential and commercial projects at Roshn’s Sedra and Warefa communities in Riyadh.

    The client signed three agreements worth over SR1.3bn ($363m) related to its Sedra residential community. These include a SR1bn ($293m) agreement with Jeddah-based developer Arabian Dyar for a 55,000 sq m plot.

    Another agreement was signed with Riyadh-based firm Tiraz Al-Arabia to build integrated commercial facilities within the Sedra development. The value of this deal has yet to be disclosed.

    In a separate announcement, Alramz Real Estate Company said it has signed a SR262m ($70m) agreement to acquire and develop a plot spanning over 14,000 sq m for a 240-unit residential project in Sedra.

    In Warefa, Roshn signed two agreements totalling SR781m ($208m).

    It signed a SR548m ($146m) deal with Sateaa Altameer for Real Estate to develop a site spanning an area of over 108,000 sq m.

    Another SR233m ($62m) agreement was signed with Fayziyya for Real Estate Development for a plot covering 46,000 sq m.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/15909425/main.png
    Yasir Iqbal