Gulf Marine Services, a provider of self-propelled, self-elevating support vessels, has announced a contract extension for one of its Small-class vessels operating in the GCC region
The extension, awarded by a major national oil company in the Middle East under an existing agreement, has added 183 days onto the current contract period, with two further three-month extension options also on the table.
The current backlog stands at US$659mn.
The extension will see the vessel continue to support the client’s offshore maintenance operations, and reflects the continued strength of demand for GMS’ vessels in the region.
Mansour Al Alami, GMS Executive Chairman, said, “We are delighted to have secured this extension, which reflects the confidence our clients continue to place in GMS to deliver safe and reliable support for their offshore operations. This extension further strengthens fleet utilisation, which remains central to delivery of our objectives.”
Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon Offshore (LTEH Offshore) has secured an ultra-mega order from a prestigious client in the Middle East for the development of multiple offshore facilities.
The scope of the projects includes engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning (EPICIC) of offshore facilities. A significant portion of the activities will be carried out by L&T’s integrated manufacturing and fabrication facilities.
The award reinforces LTEH Offshore’s long-standing presence in the Middle East and reflects the confidence placed by customers in the company’s ability to deliver complex offshore projects safely, on schedule, and to a high standard.
T Madhava Das, Whole-time Director, Senior Executive Vice President & Head – Energy Hydrocarbon Division of L&T, said, “The order represents one of the most significant offshore developments currently underway in the Middle East and underscores the growing investments being made to meet future energy demand. The scale and complexity of the project call for deep engineering expertise, integrated project execution capabilities and flawless coordination across multiple workstreams. We are proud to contribute to the development of critical energy infrastructure that will support the region's long-term growth ambitions".
Parthasarathi Chatterjee, Senior Vice President & Head – L&T Energy Hydrocarbon Offshore, commented, “With multiple offshore facilities, subsea infrastructure and substantial fabrication requirements, this project exemplifies the scale and complexity of offshore developments that LTEH Offshore is uniquely positioned to deliver. Our integrated EPCIC approach, supported by world-class engineering, fabrication and marine capabilities, enables us to execute such projects with certainty, efficiency and a strong focus on safety and quality.”
Over the last four decades, LTEH Offshore has delivered some of the region’s most challenging offshore developments, executing a wide range of offshore projects including fixed platforms, subsea pipelines and structures, brownfield upgrades and modifications, deepwater subsea structures and pipelines, and decommissioning programmes across global markets.
ADNOC has deployed its AI-enabled Real-Time Operations Center (RTOC) across its fleet of more than 120 onshore and offshore drilling rigs, enabled by SLB’s DrillOps intelligent well delivery and insights solutions.
The installation continuously collects live drilling data to generate a unified, real-time environment that drives coordination within ADNOC teams, identifying risks ahead of time for prompt decision-making.
The RTOC is completely reliable in securing critical operational data and workflows as it is an in-country set up, built and developed in the United Arab Emirates and hosted within ADNOC’s sovereign cloud environment. With maximum confidentiality secured, the platform gives business, asset and drilling teams greater visibility across the fleet, advancing operational efficiency and long-term digital independence for ADNOC.
“DrillOps transforms real-time drilling data into operational intelligence that helps teams make faster, more informed decisions,” said Rakesh Jaggi, President-Digital, SLB. “Deployed within ADNOC’s sovereign cloud environment, the technology provides the scalable digital foundation for AI-enabled workflows across one of the industry’s largest rig fleets and supports the continued progression toward more autonomous operations.”
ADNOC has reported around 30-40% reduction in engineering efforts ever since the deployment. Engineers can now support two to three times more rigs while maintaining effective oversight. Day-long analyses are now a matter of few minutes, and reporting cycles that once took several days can be completed within hours. This revolution is driven by RTOC's combination of operational data, automated dashboards, advanced analytics and AI-driven insights that converts humungous quantities of drilling data into clear, actionable information. Thus empowered, engineers can wholeheartedly invest their energy on execution while maintaining visibility across a large and complex rig fleet. ADNOC said the platform can also identify potential operational issues before they escalate, reduce incident response times by 4 to 12 hours and help avoid one to two days of rig downtime.
The deployment advances ADNOC’s broader effort to apply AI at scale across its operations while demonstrating how SLB digital technology can help operators move from fragmented data and manual analysis toward more connected and intelligent drilling operations. By embedding AI-enabled insights directly into operational workflows, the platform supports improved performance, reduced operational risk and greater efficiency across upstream operations.
Halliburton has been awarded a contract by Basra Oil Company (BOC) for the development of the Bin Umar and Sindbad oil and gas fields in southern Iraq.
The contract scope includes field development planning, production optimisation, digital solutions and engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) services for the two fields.
“We are honoured by the trust Basra Oil Company has placed in Halliburton to support the development of the Bin Umar and Sindbad fields,” said Zaid Khadra, Vice President, Middle East North Africa, Halliburton.
“We will work alongside BOC as a technical and project management provider to integrate workflows, digital solutions, and execution expertise to maximise asset value.”
Halliburton said in a statement that it will deploy its Landmark portfolio to build a digital foundation that connects subsurface insights, well delivery, production operations and business planning.
The company digitally integrates planning and execution to improve visibility, increase efficiency and support faster, higher-quality decisions.
The Bin Umar and Sindbad development programme is designed to increase oil production and expand the capture and use of associated gas for domestic supply.BOC estimates oil production could reach approximately 150,000 barrels per day and 300 million standard cubic feet of associated gas from Bin Umar field during the first five-year development phase.
The project supports Iraq’s efforts to strengthen energy security and reduce reliance on gas imports.
The Halliburton award also supports the Iraqi governments strategy to strengthen BOC with technical capabilities, project execution expertise and an integrated delivery model to advance development of Iraq’s national energy assets.
BOC will retain ownership, operatorship and decision-making authority over the assets, while Halliburton will execute the project in coordination with BOC.
Halliburton also plans to work with local resources to support Ministry of Oil initiatives on workforce development and national value creation.
“We look forward to collaboration with BOC to advance Iraq’s production, infrastructure and associated gas development objectives,” added Khadra.
Weatherford has been awarded two five-year contracts for well related services in Kuwait, it disclosed in its recent Q2 results announcement.
The work covers the provision of annular casing packers for high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) Triassic-Palaeozoic wells and ESP feed-through packers.
“Kuwait Oil Company awarded two five-year contracts for the supply of Annular Casing Packer for Triassic-Paleozoic High-Pressure High-Temperature Wells and the supply of Electronic Submersible Pumps feed-through packers for multiple wells,” the Q2 statement noted.
It also listed a further contract in Oman for the provision of substantial drilling operations.
“Petroleum Development Oman awarded Weatherford a three-year contract to provide Integrated Drilling Services covering 247 wells in the Marmul field, supporting both production and injection operations, following the successful completion of the 837-well contract awarded in 2022.”
Other regional highlights from the quarter included new technology use in Saudi Arabia.
“In Saudi Arabia, Weatherford completed the first qualification deployment of ArrayPro with Aramco, validating a fully integrated production logging solution for horizontal wells,” the company’s statement noted.
“The ruggedised system delivered high quality real time data and reliable performance in demanding environments, supporting improved reservoir insight and production optimisation.”
In the UAE, it was also recognised as ‘Best Liner Hanger Supplier and Services Provider’ by an undisclosed national oil company.
“The Liner Hanger Systems team completed over 100 liner deployments across more than 22,000 operational hours in the previous year, demonstrating consistent delivery that reduces operational variability and supports efficient well construction and schedule reliability.”
While overall group revenues for the period were down slightly, the company remains bullish about forward prospects.
“Despite the significant disruption in the Middle East due to the Iran conflict, our second-quarter results, especially adjusted free cash flow, were strong, demonstrating the reliability and resilience of our operating paradigm,” said Girish Saligram, Weatherford’s President and CEO.
In its Q2 statement, it added that while the Middle East situation remains volatile and creates activity headwinds in the short term, the company’s longer-term thesis remains intact.
“A return to the pre-conflict operating levels is expected to be gradual, contingent on continued regional stability, and requires an absence of further geopolitical escalation,”it noted.“Our second half 2026 outlook is appropriately adjusted to reflect these dynamics and while our total year outlook has slightly reduced, the second half represents a significant ramp up in margin contribution versus the first half.”
Oceaneering International has announced that its Integrity Management and Digital Solutions (IMDS) segment has been awarded a five-year inspection and asset integrity services contract by a Qatar-based oil company.
The contract followed a competitive tender process and reinforces Oceaneering’s role in providing integrity management services in Qatar after operating in the country for more than 20 years.
Under the contract, Oceaneering will deliver non-destructive testing, inspection services and value engineering, utilising its established local workforce and leveraging Inform, its digital inspection software. The scope may also include deploying Vision, a data visualisation platform.
Leo Granato, Senior Vice President of IMDS, said, “This award underscores our ability to deliver reliable, digitally enabled integrity solutions that enhance production reliability and asset uptime while supporting regulatory compliance. Our established team in Qatar enables safe and consistent execution of our innovative solutions, while deepening the development of local talent.”
Eni, in partnership with the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) through the Mellitah Oil & Gas joint venture, has start-up hydrocarbon production from the Sabratha Compression Project.
This is a strategic offshore development for Eni to leverage the Bahr Essalam offshore field for boosted and sustained gas generation.
The Sabratha Compression Project comprises an installation of a new 1,600-ton compression module on the Sabratha platform, equipped with new compression trains, providing an overall compression capacity of about 440 MMscfd.
The new module can produce under low-pressure conditions, enhancing gas recovery from the gradually declining Bahr Essalam field. This process secures the generation of boosted gas volumes at about 800 million cu/m per year and associated condensate. This additional production will play a critical role in sustaining national power generation, reinforcing Libya’s energy security, and supporting export to Italy via the Greenstream pipeline.
With a smoothy delivery of the challenging and complex Sabratha Compression Project, Eni and NOC is able to secure a resilient gas infrastructure for Libya, adding to the stability and growth of the country’s energy sector.
Two additional strategic projects are presently in execution in the country: Bouri Gas Utilization Project, whose tie-in and commissioning activities are currently underway after the recent installation of the Bouri Gas Recovery Module, and Structures A&E, whose execution is underway to develop two offshore gas fields.
Eni has been present in Libya since 1959 and is the country’s leading international operator, with an equity production of approximately 162,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025 and three development projects currently in execution for a total investment of about 10 billion dollars.
Global energy technology firm SLB has successfully secured a significant seven-year contract with the Kuwait Oil Company (KOC).
The landmark agreement, formed under the auspices of KOC’s flagship Ahmadi Innovation Valley (AIV) initiative, designates SLB as the very first contracted technology partner for the ambitious programme. This strategic alignment is explicitly designed to support applied research, the deployment of advanced technologies, and comprehensive digital innovation programmes that are closely aligned with Kuwait's long-term energy objectives.
The Ahmadi Innovation Valley serves as Kuwait Oil Company’s premier innovation platform. It has been strategically constructed to bring together industry leaders, academic institutions, and leading technology providers. The primary aim of this collaborative ecosystem is to address and overcome strategic technical challenges within the upstream energy sector. By fostering a cooperative environment, the initiative provides KOC with a highly flexible and structured approach to evaluate, pilot, and eventually deploy emerging technologies across its extensive operational network to ensure maximum efficiency.
Ahmad Jaber Al-Eidan, the chief executive officer of Kuwait Oil Company, highlighted the strategic importance of this new collaborative framework and its projected impact on the nation's broader industrial goals.
"Ahmadi Innovation Valley represents an important step in advancing technology leadership across Kuwait's energy sector," said Ahmad Jaber Al-Eidan. He further elaborated on the broader implications for the region, adding, "Through collaboration with leading technology partners, we are accelerating technology deployment, strengthening local capabilities and expanding knowledge transfer to support Kuwait's energy industry."
Under the newly established terms of the seven-year agreement, SLB will work intimately with KOC to evaluate, test, and deploy a multitude of advanced technological solutions. The scope of this partnership is vast, encompassing nearly 100 distinct projects that span a wide array of operational and strategic priorities. Key areas of focus for these ongoing projects include the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), industrial internet of things (IIoT) applications, production optimisation, advanced reservoir technologies, sustainable water management, and critical energy transition initiatives.
By leveraging these advanced digital systems, the collaboration aims to significantly improve upstream operations and mitigate execution risks. The utilisation of real-time sensor networks and advanced technological frameworks will enable the Kuwait Oil Company to process operational data more efficiently, optimise critical production parameters, and manage essential resources with a heightened focus on long-term sustainability.
Olivier Le Peuch, the chief executive officer of SLB, underscored the practical challenges of modernising the energy sector and the unique value that this dedicated partnership brings to the table.
"The energy industry has no shortage of technology. The challenge is deploying it at scale and turning innovation into operational impact," said Olivier Le Peuch. Reflecting on the collaborative nature of the new initiative, he added, "Ahmadi Innovation Valley brings together technology providers, researchers and operational teams to accelerate the evaluation, deployment and scaling of new solutions across KOC's operations. We are proud to contribute our technology, domain expertise and global experience while helping strengthen local capabilities and support the next generation of Kuwaiti talent."
To properly support the extensive technical requirements of the Ahmadi Innovation Valley initiative, SLB has also committed to establishing a permanent physical footprint within the region. As a core component of the overarching agreement, SLB plans to construct a dedicated Ahmadi Innovation Valley facility situated directly in Kuwait. The construction of this specialised technological centre is officially expected to begin in the year 2026, with the facility's grand opening planned for 2028. Once fully operational, this site will serve as a centralised hub for applied research and technology management, spanning multiple business lines and technology domains.
This newly awarded contract represents a major milestone in the enduring relationship between the two entities. It builds upon a robust foundation of collaboration between SLB and the Kuwait Oil Company that dates back more than 85 years. As the upstream energy sector continues to face complex transitional challenges, this renewed partnership ensures that both organisations are exceptionally well-positioned to drive digital innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and support the sustainable evolution of Kuwait’s vital energy infrastructure for the future.
ADNOC Drilling has announced the delivery of its state-of-the-art AD-300 rig, which it calls the first AI-enabled, fully automated walking island rig.
Delivered nearly three months ahead of schedule, it combines automation, AI, digital technologies and hybrid power capability, with optional grid connectivity, to enhance safety, reduce downtime and improve well delivery efficiency, and will work offshore UAE for ADNOC.
“The delivery of AD-300 marks a step-change in how we execute large-scale, technology-enabled energy development,” said Abdulla Ateya Al Messabi, CEO of ADNOC Drilling.
“By integrating automation, artificial intelligence and robotics at scale, we are enhancing safety, improving efficiency and delivering more consistent, predictable performance.”
Standing 50 metres tall, the height of a 15-storey building, and weighing around 2,000 tons, AD-300’s advanced technology and energy features will enable more efficient and lower-emission operations, according to ADNOC Drilling.
Its automated walking capability allows it to move seamlessly between well locations without dismantling, while automation systems, such as automated pipe handling and AI-enabled monitoring, help minimise personnel exposure in complex operating environments.
Integrated data systems also provide real-time operational insights for performance optimisation and predictive maintenance.
It is the first of six next-generation rigs on order under a US$1.54bn drilling services contract.
“As the first of six rigs under this programme, AD-300 demonstrates our ability to deliver complex, high-value assets ahead of schedule, accelerating revenue generation while supporting ADNOC’s production capacity expansion and reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in advanced energy solutions,” said Al Messabi.
The first rig, AD-301, is currently being deployed, with the remaining rigs scheduled for delivery through 2027.
ADNOC Drilling hopes the early rig delivery will enable earlier revenue generation and accelerate the rollout of its next-generation rig programme.
“At a time when the world needs reliable energy at scale, the UAE stands ready to supply global customers,” said Tayba Abdulrahim Al Hashmi, CEO of ADNOC Offshore.
“AD-300 and our next-generation island rigs are accelerating our growth, expanding ADNOC's production capacity and delivering long-term value for our stakeholders and the nation.”
McDermott has announced a highly coveted partnership: it has been hand-selected by Aramco as one of only eleven contractors to drive forward massive project management consultancy solutions across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Executing complex energy infrastructure is a strategic priority for Aramco, tied directly to the Kingdom’s long-term development goals. Securing robust project management provides a reliable, integrated framework for large-scale energy, downstream, petrochemical, and low-carbon programmes.
Through a newly established multi-year Project Management Consultancy (PMC) Long-Term Agreement (LTA), McDermott is officially positioned as a central engineering and project management service provider within Aramco's sprawling strategic investment portfolio. Operating as a fully integrated provider in over 30 countries with a workforce exceeding 30,000 personnel, McDermott continues to advance the next generation of global energy infrastructure.
The joint venture's integrated Out-of-Kingdom and In-Kingdom delivery model leverages McDermott's global experience alongside Solutions Leaders Fayez Engineering's (SLFE) local capabilities. SLFE operates as an Aramco-approved general engineering services plus (GES+) contractor, and this framework produces dynamic, efficient execution while adhering to Aramco's rigorous In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) and localisation objectives.
As part of this strategic collaboration, McDermott will combine its overarching technical expertise and global delivery frameworks with SLFE's robust domestic presence to seamlessly transform project execution. McDermott will provide its technology leadership in overall execution planning, governance, and front-end development (pre-FEED and FEED), seamless integration through established engineering centres, and continuous oversight to develop a fit-for-purpose project management solution for Aramco processes. SLFE, meanwhile, will spearhead engineering and client support within the Kingdom.
“Just as the United States and the Kingdom share a commitment to long-term collaboration, we share a commitment with SLFE to localisation, knowledge transfer and sustainable capacity building within the Kingdom,” said Michael McKelvy, McDermott's chief executive officer and chair of the board.
“This long‑term agreement reflects Aramco's confidence in our proven execution capabilities and our track record of delivering complex, world‑class projects in the Kingdom,” added Rob Shaul, McDermott's senior vice president of low carbon solutions.
Ashraf Alkhaznadar, SLFE's president and CEO, noted the mutual benefits of the joint venture for the region's broader development. “We are proud to partner with McDermott on this strategic agreement with Aramco,” he said. “Together, we bring complementary strengths that support Aramco's long‑term vision while continuing to develop national engineering capability.”
This landmark agreement underscores McDermott’s deeply rooted relationship with Aramco and its established history of successfully executing intricate engineering and energy projects throughout the Middle East. By continuing to deliver fully integrated, technology-driven solutions from concept to commissioning, McDermott is not only cementing its critical role in advancing the Kingdom's long-term developmental and energy transition targets, but it is also actively shaping the next generation of global energy infrastructure to empower a more sustainable future for the wider industry.
SLB has signed a memorandum of understanding with Qualcomm Technologies to enable edge AI solutions for the energy industry, with a focus on enabling AI applications across production operations.
The collaboration combines Qualcomm Technologies’ low-power edge computing and AI processing capabilities, with SLB’s Agora edge AI and IoT solutions developed for remote and complex environments, supporting real-time operational decision-making across wells, facilities and production systems.
With energy operators increasingly adopting automation and autonomous workflows across production environments, demand for agentic AI systems that can run closer to operations is rising, given they can support more responsive and resilient operations in remote environments where connectivity, latency and operational continuity are critical. This collaboration is expected to help operators modernise legacy operational environments while strengthening cybersecurity across operational technology.
“Together, SLB and Qualcomm Technologies aim to help operators apply AI more effectively across energy infrastructure,” said Rakesh Jaggi, president, Digital, SLB. “Many energy operations rely on real-time decision-making in remote environments where connectivity and responsiveness directly affect performance. AI systems designed around the realities of energy operations can help support more consistent and autonomous workflows across those environments.”
“Many industrial environments require AI systems that can operate with limited power, constrained connectivity, separation between operational technology and information technology environments, and real-time operational demands,” said Nakul Duggal, EVP and Group GM, Automotive, Industrial and Embedded IoT, and Robotics, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This collaboration brings Qualcomm Technologies’ low-power AI processing closer to energy operations, alongside operating assets, helping enable edge intelligence for new use cases and supporting progress toward more autonomous workflows.”
The deep waters off the coast of Egypt are witnessing a quiet revolution in subsea engineering, as heavy, corrosive steel makes way for lighter, more sustainable composite technologies.
For the first time in the region, advanced thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) technology is being deployed to modernise offshore infrastructure. Leading TCP manufacturer Strohm has secured a landmark contract to supply a 2,000-meter flowline for one of the West Delta Deep Marine (WDDM) projects. Operated by the Burullus Gas Company, a joint venture uniting EGAS, Shell, and Petronas— this project signals a significant shift in deep-sea energy logistics.
The new flowline, engineered with carbon fibre and PA12 polymer, is designed to withstand extreme subsea conditions with a pressure rating of 5,000psi and is qualified to the DNV-ST-F119 standard. Resting at depths of nearly 600 meters, this state-of-the-art system is actively replacing an existing steel flowline. The TCP technology offers a striking environmental and logistical edge over its predecessor: it is inherently strong, non-corrosive, spoolable, and lightweight. Crucially, the material is 100% recyclable and drastically reduces the carbon footprint of subsea operations by allowing installation from small vessels or subsea pallets rather than energy-intensive specialised installation ships.
The installation itself, managed by Oceaneering International, will employ a cost-effective 'horizontal lay' method utilising a multi-purpose vessel to maximise efficiency. Norman Lentsch, Strohm's Business Development Manager for Africa, recognises the strategic importance of this regional debut. “This contract marks an important milestone for us as we enter the Egyptian market for the first time. We are proud to work with Oceaneering International and Burullus Gas Company as we support the region's growing energy infrastructure needs with our high-quality flowline solutions,” he said.
He further emphasised the industry's growing trust in this innovative material, saying, “Our entry into the local market underscores the confidence operators have in our TCP products, our extensive track record and our ability to deliver consistent quality and performance. We look forward to demonstrating Strohm's commitment to safety and excellence.”
The partnership with Oceaneering brings critical installation expertise to the table, further optimising the project's bottom line. Chris Dyer, Senior Vice President at Oceaneering's Offshore Project Group, detailed how their existing capabilities create seamless project execution. Dyer said, “At Oceaneering, we have extensive experience installing flexible products, including TCP. By leveraging our umbilical product installation capabilities to support TCP installations, we can maximise our assets globally and streamline project execution, providing tangible benefits to the end user in overall project cost and schedule."
By moving away from traditional steel toward next-generation composite pipes, this Egyptian deployment acts as a blueprint for the future of offshore energy, where flexibility, carbon reduction, and cost efficiency guide deep-water development.
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