MEED
Issue No 24 12 - 18 June 2009
View all stories from this issue.
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Abu Dhabi launches '1.8 million' onshore oil scheme
Adco invites bids for the main construction package on its $3bn onshore oil capacity upgrade. -
Abu Dhabi launches study on impact of federal rail scheme
Union Railway Company to assess how rail link will affect all seven emirates. -
Akakus work in Libya goes to Foster Wheeler
Libya's Akakus Oil Operations has awarded a project management consultancy deal to the US' Foster Wheeler as part of development plans for a 100,000 barrel-a-day (b/d) gas oil separation plant in the Murzuq basin, 700 kilometres from Tripoli. -
Al-Ittefaq agrees to $1bn debt extension with lenders
The kingdom's Al-Ittefaq Steel Products Company has agreed with its lenders to extend the maturity of $1bn of debt as part of a restructuring of the firm's financial obligations. -
Baghdad in talks to boost investment
Foreign investors could be given more rights as shortfall in project funding threatens to hit $70bn. -
Contractors line up for work on Marib 2 power scheme
Contract for the third phase of the development will follow in coming months. -
Doha building a transport backbone
Doha is undertaking the most ambitious infrastructure programme in the Gulf, spending $25bn on upgrading the capacity of its airports, ports and rail network. -
Doha can make diplomacy work
With Doha's links to both the US and pro-Iranian political factions, the country has a useful role to play as a diplomatic deal broker. -
Doha to retender airport deals by July
Fresh bids sought as airport project seeks to capitalise on fall in commodity and materials costs. -
Doha's expanding diplomatic role
Qatar is finding fresh ways to develop its role as a diplomatic deal maker in conflicts across the region, including Lebanon, Sudan and the West Bank and Gaza. -
Dubai seeks to ease costs of metro line
The Dubai Metro's new Purple line now looks set to be built as a public-private partnership (PPP) as the Dubai government is keen to ease the financial burden on contractors. -
Egypt oil & gas
Six key people driving the growth of Egypt's energy industry: Sameh Fahmy, Hany Elsharkawi, Sherif Ismail, Mamdouh Mahfouz, Abdel Alim Taha and Mahmoud Latif. -
Election victors in Lebanon face fresh challenges
March 14 must take key policy decisions over privatisation of electricity and telecoms sectors. -
Family affairs under scrutiny in the region
The downturn is having a negative impact on some of the region's largest family conglomerates. -
Flexibility is key to Saudi Aramco's refinery awards
Contractors will have to be more flexible in future to win contracts with the Saudi oil giant. -
International firms compete for offshore pipeline contract in the Emirates
Zadco, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc), has asked the firms to submit technical bids detailing planned engineering work by 22 June, with commercial prices outlining cost structures to follow in September. -
Kuwaiti Oil Ministry outlines energy masterplan
Kuwait has finalised a five-year development plan for the country's oil and gas sector and will appoint a new Supreme Petroleum Council (SPC) in a bid to restart progress on a string of major energy projects. -
Marafiq abandons private sector plan in Saudi Arabia
Yanbu water and power project brought back under government control because of funding difficulties. -
Mashael prequalifies Sohar refinery bids
Bahrain's Mashael Group is prequalifying engineering and construction contractors to bid on its $200m heavy oil refinery project at Sohar port, following the signing of a long-term lease agreement at the site. -
Metal products market rallies in the Gulf
Demand and prices are beginning to rise after last summer’s spectacular collapse. -
Metal products market rallies in the Gulf
Demand and prices are beginning to rise after last summer’s spectacular collapse. -
Nakheel bond risk threatens ratings
Dubai-based entities could be downgraded if developer fails to repay $3.5bn of maturing bonds. -
Private sector awards in Saudi Arabia collapse in value
Value of construction contracts awarded in the kingdom plummets as real estate projects are shelved. -
Q&A: Waltherus Matthijs, CEO, Sadafco
Despite the economic downturn, GCC consumers have not changed their spending habits when it comes to high-quality food, says Matthijs -
Qatar's quest for sporting glory
Doha has invested billions of dollars in encouraging sporting excellence domestically and building the infrastructure it will need to succeed in its second Olympic bid. -
Riyadh prepares tenders for Mecca-Medina rail link
The second round of bidding on the Haramain high-speed rail project between Mecca and Medina is to start by the end of June, as the Saudi Railways Organisation (SRO) seeks to progress the $6bn link between the holy cities. -
Sadafco
Saudia Dairy & Foodstuffs Company is adapting to competition and changing consumer patterns. -
Sadafco: MEED Assessment
Further restructuring may be required if the company wants to maintain its long-term growth and keep shareholders happy -
Sama must lift lid on Saudi families' debts
Defaults at large family groups may delay financial recovery in the Gulf. Billions of dollars of debt is already in line to be restructured. -
Saudi Aramco to award $7bn Jubail export refinery deals
State oil company Saudi Aramco is expected to formally approve the award of nearly $7bn worth of construction contracts for its Jubail export refinery at a board meeting on 16 June with its joint venture partner, France's Total. -
Saudi utilities are right to bond together
Government utilities working together will ensure Saudi Arabia's power and water demands are met. -
Sheikh Nasser will need clear vision for Kuwaiti petroleum sector
The Kuwaiti prime minister must build a strong petroleum council to regain his government's credibility. -
Slowdown reveals Qatar's strengths
Despite the global financial crisis, Qatar’s economy continues to grow thanks to the booming hydrocarbons industry and a range of downstream initiatives. -
Slowdown reveals Qatar's strengths
Despite the global financial crisis, Qatar’s economy continues to grow thanks to the booming hydrocarbons industry and a range of downstream initiatives. -
Special Report: Qatar - Gas exports fuel project growth
It is a testament to Qatar’s financial strength that, despite the country’s banks facing difficulties from bad loans and funding constraints, its economy is still expected to grow more quickly this year than any other in the world.
