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The Top EPC Companies in the Middle East Oil & Gas Industry

Who are the leading EPC companies in the Middle East? OilandGas.com Middle East has determined just that in their 2019 list of the ‘Top 30 EPC Contractors in the Middle East’.

The publication has shared their annual ranking, recognising the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) firms who are making the biggest impact in the Middle East’s Oil & Gas industry.

Included in this year’s list were 30 different EPC contractors each ranked by a list of criteria including; their financial reports, planned and existing projects, current CSR initiatives and the contractors overall presence in the Middle East.

We’ve highlighted the firms to watch from this year’s top EPC companies in the Middle East list, exploring some of the key projects that have caught our attention.

Larsen & Toubro Hydrocarbon Engineering - #1 in 2019

Rank last year: #2

Taking the top spot on this year’s list is Oil & Energy firm Larsen & Toubro Hydrocarbon Engineering (LTHE). The Indian company has secured the number one position this year following a handful of major project wins in the Middle East.

In 2019, LTHE has won several contracts with Arab oil companies and established some strong partnerships within the region.

In consortium with Subsea 7, LTHE has so far won five contracts from oil-giant Saudi Aramco in 2019. The firms secured an EPCI contract from Saudi Aramco for the Zuluf and Berri fields, including EPCI work on three oil production deck manifolds and subsea pipelines.

In Kuwait, the EPC firm has also won contracts for a series of large scale developments. Most notably a pipeline construction contract from Kuwait Oil Company, with a predicted project value of up to $720mn, and an EPC contract for a $450mn coke calciner project in Sohar, Oman.

Petrofac - #2 in 2019

Rank last year: #1

After topping the last year’s list of Top EPC companies in the Middle East, Petrofac has remained in the top two for another year.

Earlier this year, the global EPC company was awarded a notable $1 billion contract with Groupment Isarene (a joint venture set up by Sonatrach, Petroceltic and Enel), for the Ain Tsila Development project in Algeria. The project will run for the next 3 years and produce gas, LPG and condensate for the local Algerian market and for export.

Petrofac also won a $115 million contract for Qarn Alam Co-Generation Projects this year, the latest in a series of awards for the firm in Oman.

Trainee engineers at the Takatuf Petrofac Oman (TPO) training facility in Oman

However, Petrofac is not just scoring large projects wins in the Middle East, the firm is also making positive changes for workers in the region. The firm has set up a joint venture with Takatuf to create a leading technical centre of excellence in Oman. The Takatuf Petrofac Oman (TPO) trains local graduate engineers in Oman, helping them to develop their skills and increase the value of Oman’s in-country workforce.

McDermott - #3 in 2019

Rank last year: #5

Following the momentous acquisition of CB&I and $6.7bn in new contracts in Q1, McDermott has moved up two spots since last year. Solidifying their reputation as a one of the top EPC companies in the Middle East, McDermott has greatly increased their activity throughout the region in 2019.

Within the past year, the firms has secured a petrochemicals contract in Kuwait, two EPCI contracts for Saudi Aramco’s offshore Marjan field, and a contract for FEED services from ADNOC Refining, as well as other smaller developments.

The firm has also signed an agreement with Saudi Aramco to develop an EPCI facility in Saudi Arabia, facilitating the large scale fabrication of offshore platforms and onshore/offshore modules.

Saipem - #6 (2018)

Rank last year: #7

Holding strong in the ranking is Italian contractor Saipem. The company bounced back earlier in the year, reporting a $23.6mn profit in Q1 2019 after experiencing a $2.2mn loss in the prior three months.

Saipem has also won $2.9bn in contracts in 2019, announcing two contracts worth $100mn for offshore drilling work in Norway and a three-year contract in the Middle East.

In Q1 the firm was awarded two EPIC (engineering, procurement, installation, construction) contracts, worth an estimated $1.3bn, for the Saudi Aramco's Berri and Marjan fields, located in the Arabian Gulf.

TechnipFMC - #10 (2019)

Rank last year: #9

Moving down one spot, TechnipFMC has continued with strong levels of activity in the region.

In their annual report, the firm highlighted the Middle East as an area poised for new order growth, attributing a forecast increase in activity from ADNOC and Saudi Aramco.

TechnipFMC also celebrated another major contract victory this year, after successfully completing the remaining conditions required to commence work on their EPC contract by Middle East Oil Refinery (MIDOR), for the modernisation and expansion of its complex near Alexandria, Egypt.

MIDOR's existing Middle East Oil Refinery

Commencing in 2022, the modernisation project will boost the refinery’s original capacity by 60% to 160,000 barrels per day of crude oil, representing a positive step forward for refinery capacity in the Middle East.

Subsea 7 - #16 in 2019

Rank last year: #22

Making waves in the Middle East this year, Subsea 7 has jumped six spots since 2018.

The Subsea specialist is working on a handful of developments in the region, collaborating with Larsen & Toubro on two EPCI contracts for Saudi Aramco’s Zuluf and Berri oilfields, which were awarded in April this year.

Hiring for EPC Oil & Gas projects in the Middle East

As many EPC firms continue to establish themselves in the Middle East and grow their contracting capability within the region, the need for highly-skilled and reliable talent is also set to grow.

At First Recruitment Group, we have over 20 years of experience in providing skilled workers for EPC clients internationally.
Through our in-country office in the UAE, and trusted strategic partners across the region, our recruitment teams has source the correct talent for top EPC's and operators in the Middle East including; OMV, DNO, Genel, Crescent Petroleum and Wintershall.

If you are looking for a recruitment agency in the Middle East, that offers full compliance and a local presence, contact our Client Development Director, Lewis Trow, on +44 (0)1925 907000 or email lewis.trow@firstrg.com

For more information on our hiring capabilities in the Middle East, click here to read about our Middle East and Africa recruitment agency.

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