Saudi Aramco has signed a long-term agreement (LTA) with a consortium of Royal Boskalis Westminster and the UAE’s Lamprell that will enable it to bid for contracts under the state-oil giant’s ambitious plans to maintain and expand offshore oil production in the kingdom.

The pair are among a number of companies selected under the LTA scheme that can bid for Aramco tenders without requiring any further technical prequalification. The programme aims to shorten the lead time through to contract awards.

The six-year LTA is part of an investment programme from Aramco covering engineering, procurement, construction, transportation and installation (EPCI) contracts to support its offshore oil output.

Aramco plans to increase its offshore oil production capacity by around 1 million barrels a day (b/d) by 2023, to help compensate for production declines expected from onshore fields, some of which have been producing since the 1960s.

Under Boskalis’ agreement, Aramco’s investments could exceed $3bn each year for the next few years. Aramco can also extend the LTA for another three years, Boskalis said in a statement on 26 November.

Lamprell will focus on the EPCI offshore structures, such as topsides and jackets, while Boskalis will be responsible for their transport and installation, along with dredging and subsea activities.