12-01-2022

Strategic growth in the Middle East for Wood

Wood marks a year of strategic growth in the Middle East region following a suite of contract awards and strategic framework renewals across its Consulting, Projects and Operations business units, accumulating in $580 million of secured backlog in 2021.

As operators focus on economic recovery from the pandemic and ensuring continued energy supply, Wood is delivering solutions to optimise energy production, reduce carbon impact and accelerate the energy transition across the region, strengthening its position as a trusted partner to enable reliable and sustainable energy production in the face of rising demand.

The contracts awarded in 2021 will see Wood’s teams across the Middle East work together with a range of valued partners and clients to unlock conventional and low carbon energy supply, optimise energy production and processing, and extend onshore and offshore asset life in Bahrain, Iraq, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.

Significant awards in 2021 include a multi-million dollar contract with Saudi Aramco to deliver engineering and project management services for the Safaniyah and Manifa oilfields in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an agreement from ADNOC to perform Pre Front-End Engineering and Design work for a world-scale blue ammonia production facility in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, as well as front end engineering, detailed engineering, procurement and EPC contract management solutions for a long-term client in Iraq.

Craig Shanaghey, Wood’s President of Operations across Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “We are delighted to have seen the continued growth of our business in the Middle East, where we have a rich heritage and have supported the energy industry for more than 85 years.

“The global pandemic has brought many challenges and it is encouraging to see how the energy industry in the region is not only recovering but also thriving, as it takes a leading role in the quest for a more balanced, integrated and lower carbon energy mix.

“We are committed to partnering with our clients to drive down the cost and the carbon intensity of producing the energy we need today, while working together to explore the innovations that will enable us to realise our shared vision for a more sustainable future.”

Andy Hemingway, Wood’s President of Energy, Optimisation and Innovation, added: “When we leverage the technical and digital expertise of our broader business, we are uniquely positioned to unlock significantly greater value for our clients.

“From concept and commissioning through production and life extension, our teams know how to generate value that enables secure and affordable energy in the communities that we operate, while making it possible for our clients to invest in the low carbon and renewable energy innovations that our world needs in order to support ever-increasing demand.”

Jim Shaughnessy, Wood’s President of Conventional Energy Projects, continues: “Leveraging our foothold across the Middle East, we are looking to 2022 and beyond from a position of strength, ready to support the region on its journey to becoming a global leader through the energy transition.

“What is really key to our success in the region is our continued partner relationships, intense drive for delivery solutions and, critically, our commitment to supporting the communities in which we operate.

“We have strong and ambitious in-country talent development and growth plans across the region, leveraging our global expertise while continuing our focus on local investment, both in our people and in our offices and infrastructure, to ensure we leave a lasting legacy.”

As a result of Wood’s success in the region during 2021, and to support further growth, the company recently completed the mobilisation of over 600 new employees, with recruitment underway for an additional 200 roles.