Italy’s Saipem Wins Offshore Contract In Qatar Valued At Around $4 bn

Doha, Qatar: Italian engineering group Saipem has been awarded a major offshore engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) contract by QatarEnergy LNG, in partnership with China’s Offshore Oil Engineering Co (COOEC).

The overall value of the contract is approximately USD 4 billion, with Saipem’s share amounting to around USD 3.1 billion, the company said in a statement. The award represents one of the largest offshore EPCI contracts secured in the global energy sector in recent years and further strengthens Saipem’s position in the Middle East’s offshore gas market.

Long-Term Offshore Scope

The contract will be executed over a period of approximately five years, covering a comprehensive scope of offshore activities linked to Qatar’s expanding liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure. Saipem confirmed that offshore installation operations will be carried out between 2029 and 2030, utilising its De He construction vessel, one of the company’s flagship offshore assets.

The project forms part of QatarEnergy’s wider offshore development programme, supporting the expansion of production capacity from the North Field, the world’s largest non-associated natural gas field.

North Field Expansion Timeline

QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi said last month that the North Field expansion project is on track to produce its first LNG in the second half of 2026, marking a significant milestone in Qatar’s long-term energy strategy.

The offshore component of the North Field development involves the construction of six industrial units, commonly referred to as gas trains, which cool natural gas into liquid form for export by specialised LNG carriers. Once operational, the additional capacity is expected to further consolidate Qatar’s position as the world’s leading LNG exporter.

Strategic Importance For Saipem

For Saipem, the contract underscores its technical capabilities in delivering complex offshore EPCI projects at scale, particularly in ultra-large gas developments. The company’s involvement in the North Field expansion builds on its long-standing presence in Qatar and its broader Middle East portfolio.

The partnership with COOEC also highlights the increasingly international nature of large-scale offshore energy projects, combining European engineering expertise with Asian offshore construction capabilities to meet the technical and logistical demands of next-generation LNG developments.

Strengthening Qatar’s Global LNG Leadership

The North Field expansion remains a cornerstone of Qatar’s strategy to meet rising global demand for LNG, driven by energy security considerations and the transition toward lower-carbon fuels. The award of this offshore contract represents another critical step in advancing the project’s offshore infrastructure, ensuring long-term supply to global markets.

As the expansion progresses, QatarEnergy’s investment programme continues to attract major international contractors, reinforcing confidence in the project’s execution timeline and its strategic importance to the global energy landscape.